HKUST 3MT® Competition | Drupal Platform Demonstration - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Pre-selection
Final

Date	March 25 - April 1, 2026
Time	Each candidate will be allocated 15 minutes for the pre-selection interview. Assigned time slots will be sent to candidates by email.
Venue	The venue info will be sent to candidates by email.
Eligibility	Regular HKUST (CWB) PhD and MPhil students
Program	The pre-selection interview aims at selecting finalists with both strong everyday communication skills and strong research presentation skills. 50% of the interview is research related, and the other 50% is about non-research topics. Questions will be randomly selected by candidates during the interview. Each candidate has limited time (e.g. 1, 2, or 3 minutes) to answer each question. No presentation or slide is needed. Candidate etiquette will also be considered, including but not limited to being punctual for the interview, getting familiar with the interview program beforehand, and showing respect and integrity.
Result	Results will be announced by email on or before April 2, 2026
Registration	CLICK HERE (on or before March 22, 2026)

Date	April 15, 2026
Time	14:30-16:00
Venue	Room 5619 via Lift 31-32, Academic Building (All finalists should attend in person.)
Eligibility	Regular HKUST (CWB) PhD and MPhil students
Judging panel	HKUST faculty members
Program	Eight finalists will be selected through the pre-selection interview for the final round. Each finalist will have 3 minutes to present his/her research, following the competition rules, competitor guide, and judging criteria provided by the UQ. After each presentation, the finalist should expect questions from the judging panel and audience. His/her performance in the Q&A session will be evaluated together with his/her 3MT® presentation. All the finalists are suggested checking the presentation videos of the 3MT® winners around the world while preparing for the final round.
Awards	Champion **	Prize* valued at HK$8,000 If the awardee is an active PhD student when the 2026 Asia-Pacific 3MT® Competition is held, s/he will represent HKUST to compete. Otherwise, the opportunity will be shifted to another eligible awardee.
	1^st Runner-up **	Prize* valued at HK$5,000
	2^nd Runner-up	Prize* valued at HK$2,000
	People’s Choice	Prize* valued at HK$2,000 (audience’s choice)
	* It will be used to cover research-related expenses, including but not limited to conference registration fee and purchase of research-related hardware/ software. The awardees need to provide original receipts, any other supporting documents, and justification about how the purchase is related to research, for reimbursement. ** If the 2026 Asia-Pacific 3MT® Competition resumes the in-person mode, s/he will receive the travel grant of HK$15,000 to participate in the 2025 Asia-Pacific 3MT® Competition. If neither the Champion nor the 1st Runner-up is eligible for the competition, the travel grant for the 1st Runner-up will be given to another awardee who is eligible to compete in the event. (Update on February 27, 2025: The in-person mode of the Asia-Pacific 3MT® Competition may not be resumed anytime soon.)