The first 3MT was held at the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008 with 160 students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept grew and its adoption by numerous universities led to the development of an international competition in 2010.

For nearly ten years, the Graduate Student Association was USask's 3MT host, sponsored in part by the College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS). CGPS assumed all responsibility for the 3MT in 2022.

CGPS was the Western Canadian Finals host in 2017 and 2023 and saw one of their standout competitors, Antonia Powell, rise above the rest to claim victory and advance to the Canadian Nationals.

>>>> Watch Antonia Powell deliver her 3MT 

• All USask Master's and PhD thesis-based graduate students are eligible to participate.
• A student whose thesis is under submission on the date of their first competition is still eligible to compete.
• Presenters must register for the event and be able to present in person.
• One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted.
• No slide transitions, animations, or ‘movement’ of any description are permitted.
• Your slide is to be presented from the beginning of your oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

Submitting a recording for the virtual 3MT competition? Follow these steps:

1. Submit a recording of you speaking (no slide) | one file

Filmed on the horizontal
Filmed on a plain background
Filmed from a static position
Filmed from one camera angle
MP4 video format is preferred. Instructions on how to submit your video file will be sent to you after you complete the registration form.

Send only 1 static slide using 16:9 .pptx format then convert that to a .jpeg.
Do not include a title slide
Include this file with your registration form

Our team puts the two files together (the recording and the slide) once submitted to ensure a standardized format for every entry. 

1. Presenters are allowed a single PowerPoint slide; no slide transitions, no animations or movement' of any kind, the slide is presented from the beginning and for the duration of the presentation.
2. No additional electronic media (ex: sound or video files) are permitted.
3. No additional props (ex: costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
4. Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum; presentations running over 3 minutes will be disqualified.
5. Presentations are limited to spoken word (ex: no poems, raps, or songs).
6. Presentations are to commence from the stage (ex: no dramatic entrances).
7. Presentations are considered to have commenced when the presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
8. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

The competitors will be judged based on two criteria:

All competitors must complete these forms and include them with their registration details.

• Photo release form
• Personal information release form