AUS graduate students translate complex research into three-minute presentations

With the clock ticking, graduate students at American University of Sharjah (AUS) rose to the challenge of presenting their complex research to a broad audience at the 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition on September 18. The competition brought together 17 master’s and doctoral students who showcased the depth and diversity of AUS’ graduate community while refining their ability to succinctly and clearly communicate ideas beyond academic circles.

First introduced at the University of Queensland, 3MT has grown into a global initiative with more than 900 institutions across 85 countries taking part. At AUS, the competition has become a highlight of the graduate studies calendar, offering students a platform to demonstrate both the intellectual rigor and practical relevance of their work.

This year’s competition reflected the wide scope of AUS graduate research, with topics ranging from the role of social capital in greenhouse gas emission disclosure, to blockchain applications for sustainable supply chains, AI-driven feedback for academic vocabulary development and smart contracts for automated milestone payments in construction joint ventures. Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering student Mohamed Nour Zakzak received the People’s Choice Award for his presentation. Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages student Anegha Sajan secured first place in the master’s category, while PhD in Engineering – Engineering Systems Management candidate Inas Al Khatib was named winner in the doctoral category. With this recognition, she will represent AUS at the regional MENA 3MT Competition, hosted by Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar on November 2.

Reflecting on her journey, Al Khatib described the competition as a defining moment in her academic career. 

“Participating in 3MT was about stepping outside my comfort zone and distilling years of research into a story that connects with people from all walks of life,” she said. “Representing AUS at the regional competition is both an honor and a responsibility. What excites me most is that my research titled “DAO-Blockchain Medical Debt Relief Platform" has the potential to serve humanity by tackling one of today’s most pressing issues. I hope my journey encourages other graduate students to embrace opportunities, take risks and trust in the impact of their voice and research,” she said.

Dr. Mohamed El-Tarhuni, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies at AUS, highlighted the significance of the event for the university’s academic culture. 

“The 3MT competition pushes our graduate students to think creatively about how to share their research in meaningful ways,” he said. “This year’s winners exemplify the depth of academic inquiry at AUS and the ability of our students to communicate ideas that matter to society. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing Inas represent AUS on the regional stage,” he said.

Serving as judges were AUS faculty members  Dr. Mehdi Ghommem, Associate Dean for Research at the College of Engineering; Dr. George Christodoulides, Professor of Marketing, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at the School of Business Administration, and Chalhoub Group Professor in Luxury Brand Management;Dr. John Klironomos, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences; and Kenneth Tracy, Associate Professor Architecture. 

Renowned as one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the Middle East, AUS offers highly regarded master’s and PhD programs across a wide range of disciplines. These accredited programs give graduates a distinct edge in today’s competitive job market, open new career pathways, and provide opportunities to pursue the highest levels of academic achievement. AUS currently offers 21 master’s degrees and eight PhD programs, with flexible options that include part-time study, evening classes, research opportunities and graduate assistantships. Click here to learn more about AUS graduate studies.