The Virtual Three-Minute Thesis (Virtual 3MT) competition was developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) and helps cultivate students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition enhances their ability to effectively explain their research in three minutes, using language suitable for a non-specialist audience.

The Open University of Sri Lanka, with permission from the University of Queensland, has been organizing the virtual 3MT since 2022, in line with the Open University Annual Research Conference. Even this year, the virtual 3MT competition is being organized in line with the International Research Conference of the Open University of Sri Lanka 2025 (IRC OUSL 2025).

To take part in a virtual 3MT competition for the IRC OUSL 2025, the candidate must pre-record their presentation for consideration by the judges. The Judging panel will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and a single 3MT PowerPoint slide. A virtual 3MT competition will continue to allow Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) candidates to participate in 3MT, improve their communication skills and gain skills surrounding the presentation of the exciting research conducted by PhD, DBA, MPhil and 2-year full-time Master’s degree candidates who has carried out a substantial amount of research work for the completion of their thesis (including candidates whose thesis is under evaluation).

The competition is held in a virtual mode as per the guidelines stipulated by the organizing committee of the 3MT for IRC OUSL 2025. The winners will be announced at the Inauguration session of the IRC OUSL 2025.

This competition is open to any local/overseas student, and the application process will start on 15th August 2025.

A certificate and a cash prize will be awarded to the winner, the 1st runner-up and the 2nd runner-up.

Dr. D.D.D.H. Alwis

Team Leader/ 3MT Organizing committee – IRC OUSL 2025