The Postgraduate Studies Unit (PSU), Research and Postgraduate Centre (RPC), Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), successfully organised the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition XMUM 2026 on 10 July 2026. The competition brought together Master’s and PhD students across various schools at XMUM to present the significance of their research in just three minutes using a single static presentation slide, demonstrating their ability to communicate complex research in an engaging and accessible manner.
The competition was officiated by Dr. Khairun Nisa’ Binti Mihat (Minhad), Senior Manager of the RPC, who welcomed participants, distinguished judges, Heads of Programme, academic staff, and postgraduate students. In her opening remarks, she highlighted the importance of effectively communicating research beyond academic circles and encouraged participants to continue developing this essential skill throughout their research journey.
Presentations were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including Asst. Prof. Dr Aslam Muhammad Shahzad, Dr. Krishna Moorthy Manicka Nadar and Dr. Zamratul Asyikin Amran. The judging were based on two key criteria: Comprehension and Content, and Engagement and Communication. In addition, audience members had the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award, recognising the presentation they found most engaging and impactful.
The competition concluded with a prize-giving ceremony to honour the outstanding presenters. In the PhD category, Lau Hui Shen was crowned Champion, followed by Reza Godary as the First Runner-up and Faisal Fareed Bukhari as the Second Runner-up. In the Master category, Tiu Jessin emerged as Champion, while Khandoker Ashik and Lilian Ong Zi Qi secured the First and Second Runner-up positions, respectively. The People’s Choice Award, determined through audience voting, was presented to Lau Hui Shen (PhD Category) and Lilian Ong Zi Qi (Master Category). The event not only celebrated excellence in research communication but also provided participants with valuable experience in presenting their research confidently to a wider audience.
Beyond recognising outstanding presentations, the 3MT Competition served as an important learning experience for participants. It encouraged postgraduate students to think beyond the technical aspects of their research and focus on communicating its value to a wider audience. By presenting their work in a concise and engaging manner, participants strengthened their research communication, public speaking, and critical thinking skills while building confidence in sharing their ideas. These experiences contribute to the holistic development of postgraduate researchers and prepare them to communicate their research effectively in academic, professional, and public settings.
The PSU extends its sincere appreciation to the distinguished judges, Heads of Programme, academic staff, student helpers, and all participants whose contributions made the event a success. The successful organisation of the competition reflects XMUM’s continued commitment to nurturing researchers who are not only capable of producing high-quality research but are also equipped to communicate their ideas with clarity, confidence, and impact. Congratulations to all participants and winners on their outstanding achievements. The PSU looks forward to welcoming more postgraduate students to future editions of the 3MT Competition.
