As of August 31, 2020

HIRAKU 3MT Competition 2020

Application Guideline(for both the Japanese and English Divisions)

1. Competition Outline
2. Competition Schedule
3. Application Procedure
4. Rules and Screening of the Presentations
5. Judging Criteria
6. Video Editing
7. References/Other Points to Note

1. Competition Outline
What’s the HIRAKU 3MT Competition?

PrizesThe HIRAKU 3MT Competition is an exciting
opportunity for Doctorate students to effectively
explain their research within a limited time-span ofthree minutes, in a language appropriate to a nonspecialist audience. The Competition aims to develop
the Doctorates’ presentation and researchcommunication skills, while leading to broader society(as the audience) further enhancing their positive
understanding of doctorate resources and researches.

⚫ Winner

The Competition has been held as a part of theinitiatives of the consortium program, “Home forInnovative Researchers and Active Knowledge Users(HIRAKU)” (Lead Organization: Hiroshima University,
Co-Partner Organizations: Yamaguchi University andTokushima University), with the aim of promoting theadvancement and development of young researchers
through regional collaboration. The HIRAKU 3MT
Competition has been held annually since 2015, withthis year being the 6th edition of the Competition. It
will be conducted entirely online this year, expanding
the scope of the eligible participants to all doctorates
in Japanese universities.

The Winner of each division will receive a certificate,a ¥300,000 scholarship, and more.
⚫ Runner-Up
The Runner-Up of each division will receive acertificate, a ¥150,000 scholarship, and more.
⚫ People’s Choice
The People’s Choice (to be decided by the Audience
Polls) of each division will receive a certificate, a¥80,000 scholarship, and more.
*In addition to the above, several video
presentations from the Semi-Final Stage will beselected for a Sponsor Award, (these awards will be
specifically titled after the special sponsors’ names).

Host Organization
HIRAKU Operating Council Office (Global Career
Design Center, Hiroshima University)

Eligibility

Special Sponsors

Doctorate students (from any research field) enrolled
at any domestic university in Japan as of November 21,
2020 (*).

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
Springer Nature
Chugai Technos Corporation
THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS,LTD.
Micron Memory Japan G.K.
Mazda Motor Corporation*Excluding students enrolled in master programs and/or
professional degree programs.

Number of Divisions
2 (Japanese and English).

Competition Stages
The Competition will be held in the following two
judgement stages in each division:⚫ The Semi-Final Stage - pre-recorded video
presentation (Late October 2020)⚫ The Final Stage - online live presentation (Saturday,November 21, 2020)

Sponsors
KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO.,LTD. Yamaguchi Production
CenterTODA KOGYO CORP.
NH Foods Ltd. R&D Center
Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.

Cooperators
Springer Nature
Japan Science and Technology Agency(Application Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2020).

HIRAKU 3MT Official Website*Approximately ten presenters for each division will beselected (10 for Japanese, and 10 for English).

https://home.hiroshimau.ac.jp/hiraku/en/event/competition_2020/

Cooperator Website
To be supplied at a later date.

22. Competition Schedule2020 Schedule
November 21 (Sat): Final Stage (online presentation
judging; Award Ceremony)
Early November: Finalist and the Sponsor Award winners
selection
Late October: Semi-Final Stage (video presentationscreening)
October 12 (Mon): Deadline for Video Upload:
September 1 (Tue): Start of Video Upload

Semi-Final Stage (video presentation)- The Judging Panel will conduct the screening of the videos in late October to select the Finalists.
- The HIRAKU 3MT Operating Office (the Competition Office) will publish the name list of the Finalists on the official
competition website in early November. The Competition Office will also e-mail the Finalists only (i.e. non-Finalists
will not be contacted).
- Several video presentations will be selected for a Sponsor Award in early November. The Competition Office will invite

those recipients to the Award Ceremony which will be held on Saturday, November 21.

Final Stage (online presentation)- The chosen Finalists will participate in the Final Stage by accessing the Zoom link designated by the Competition Office.
- Every presentation and Question-and-Answer Session will be separately held within the Japanese and English divisions
in the following order:
1. Online Presentation (3 minutes): The Finalists will present by following the rules and regulations in the “4. Rules andScreening of the Presentations”, “5. Judging Criteria” and “6. Video Editing” sections within this guideline.
2. Question-and-Answer Session (2 minutes)： The Finalist must answer each question within 30 seconds.
- The spoken content of the presentation for the Final Stage can be different from the one from the submitted video, (i.e.
not word for word). However, the presentation title and slide must be the same as they are in the submitted video.
- The Judging Panel (see “4. Rules and Screening of the Presentations”) will select the Winner and Runner-Up for both
the Japanese and English divisions. The People’s Choice for each division will be decided by Audience Polls andconfirmed by the Judging Panel.
＜Notice＞ Final Stage Schedule & Program (TBC), Saturday, November 21, 2020
１３：００ Opening Remarks
１３：１０ Online presentations: Japanese & English divisions （held at the same time, over two different platforms）
１４：１０ Panel Talk Session with the Presenters
１４：４０ Closing Remarks
１５：００ Conclusion of Competition＊Details of the above schedule and program are subject to change.

33. Application Procedure
Application Form
*Application Deadline: 17:00 on Monday, October 12, 2020
Firstly, please choose a division (Japanese and English), and then fill in the Application Form within the link for each division
below. You can apply to both sections at the same time. If your presentation is selected for the Final Stage, the Judging Panel
will decide the suitable division for you.

Japanese Division Application Form
English Division

Application Form＊The Competition Office will send you an e-mail to confirm that your application has been received. This e-mail may be also sent to yoursupervisor, whom you have listed within your Application Form, to confirm your institutional affiliation/graduate school, etc.
＊The videos of the chosen Finalists and the Sponsor Award recipients will be uploaded onto the official competition website, amongst others.

Application Preparation
Please prepare the items below before you start filling-in the Application Form.
- Presentation Title
In Japanese → Within 25 characters / In English → Within 12 words-Self-Promotion Statement
In Japanese → Within 300 characters / In English → Within 150 words
Please describe your appeal points briefly, such as your goals, commitments, and strengths.
*Please access this link (PDF file) if you would like to read the examples which were submitted by the former applicants of the prioreditions of the competition.

-Full-Face View Photo

A clear, full-face view photo, JPEG file, width 228 : height 300 pixels or more
-VideoFor editing your video to be 3 minutes, please refer to the “4. Rules and Screening of the Presentations”, “5. Judging
Criteria” and “6. Video Editing” sections within this guideline.
Please upload your video to YouTube first and then provide us with the link.

-Presentation Slide
Only one page to explain the content of your presentation effectively(JPEG file, 16:9 (width : height))*You need to have a Google account to upload the files within the Application Form (i.e. your photo and presentation slide). If you don’t havea Google account, please create one in advance.

Publication of your Registration Details within the Online Leaflet for the Final StageThe Competition Office will publish some of your registration information (detailed below) in the Online Leaflet for the Final
Stage.

- Full-Face View Photo- Affiliation (University and Graduate School）- Name- Presentation Title- Grade- Self-Promotion Statement44. Rules and Screening of the Presentations
Rules of the Presentations
The Rules of the Presentations are for both the Semi-Final Stage (video presentation) and the Final Stage (onlinepresentation).
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes. Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenterstarts to move his/her body/mouth in order to give the presentation. Presenters who exceed 3 minutes are
disqualified.
- No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment, and animated backgrounds) arepermitted within the presentations.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
- A single static slide in 16:9 (width : height) is permitted in the presentation (no slide transitions, animations,sounds/videos, or ‘movement’ of any kind).
- Please respect copyrights and portrait rights of others when editing the presentation slide. If necessary, pleaseindicate the source of the materials.
- The Competition Office won’t accept any replacement file/s of the slide after the application deadline haspassed. Please make sure to carefully consider the application deadline date when applying.
- Please confirm to your academic supervisor or any other appropriate parties in advance whether the content of
the slide can be shared/published or not. The Competition Office shall take no responsibility for any trouble
concerning the content of the presentation.

Screening of the Presentations
１．Semi-Final Stage (video screening)
The Judging Panel will conduct the screening of every video to select the Finalists. In addition, the Special Sponsors
will select the Sponsor Award recipients.
*In the event that the number of applications is quite substantial, the Competition Office may screen thepresentations by region.
２．Final Stage (online judgement)

The Judging Panel (detailed below) will select the Winner and Runner-Up for each division.
The Audience Polls will select the recipient of the People’s Choice in both the Japanese and English divisions. Eachaudience member must register beforehand to be able to observe the Final Stage.
Judging Panel
There will be an Judging Panel for each division (Japanese/English). The Panels will consist ofuniversity/enterprise officials, experts, amongst others, invited from within and outside of Japan.
Details and the latest news on the respective Judging Panels will be announced on the website below.
http://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/hiraku/event/competition_2020/judgingpanel/55. Judging Criteria
１．Semi-Final Stage (video screening)At every level of the competition, each competitor will be assessed by the Judging Panel according to the judging criteria
listed below. It is based on the Judging Criteria for the Virtual UQ 3MT Competition 2020, Queensland, Australia.

*About the 3MT: The Three Minute Thesis (3MT ®) Competition was developed by The University of Queensland (UQ).
Nowadays, 3MT is held at over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.
(https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/)＜Attractiveness of Research Theme and Content＞-

The presentation title and slide are clear and straightforward in describing the content of the presentation.
Furthermore, their contents extract the attractiveness of the presentation itself.

-

The presentation provides an understanding of the background and significance of the research question beingaddressed.

-

The presentation conveys the enthusiasm of the presenter for research and makes the audience want to know more
about the research.

-

The presentation clearly describes the impact and results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes.

＜Communication＞-

The wording used for the presentation is understandable and proper for everybody, (avoiding the use of technicalterms, etc.).

-

The presentation is well structured and follows a clear and logical sequence.

-

The presenter is careful not to trivialize or generalize his/her research.

-

The speaker has sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintains a steady pace, and has a confidentstance.

２．Final Stage (online judgement)
The Judging Panel will use the aforementioned criteria to judge the presentations. Furthermore, the Panel will also judge
the Question-and-Answer Sessions according to the criteria below.
＜Question-and-Answer Session＞-The presenter clearly answers each question concisely and to the point.

Moreover, the audience members (general citizens, university/enterprise officials, amongst others) will poll each presenter
according to the criteria below.
-The presentation describes the vision and the importance of the research. Also, thepresentation develops a response from the audience toward the presenter and thecontent.

-The presenter intrigues and excites the Audience with their presentation.

-The result and the approach of the research seems novel, and amazes.

-The presentation is easy to understand by everybody within the audience/general public.

66. Video Editing
Please refer to the “4. Rules and Screening of the Presentations”, “5. Judging Criteria” and “6. Video
Editing” sections within this guideline to clearly understand how to edit the video of your presentation.
Feel free to use any video editing platform you are familiar with.

Good Examples- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes. Presentations① Using Zoom: Adjust your slide to be the backgroundimage (16:9-widescreen) within the Zoom settings (as afull screen image or only a part of the screen). Set up
your shot so you are in a specific position within thedisplay and record the video. Make sure that thecontents of the slide are clearly viewable/readable when
you adjust it for use as a background. Also, make sure torecord your face clearly in the video.

are considered to have commenced when a presenterstarts to move his/her body/mouth in order to givethe presentation.
- The 3 minute presentation must be continuous withno video edits or breaks, except when forming thebeginning and ending of the video.

想像は、
無限の旅人。

- The screening of the quality of the video is notincluded within the Judging Criteria.

- Adjust the size of the slide to be at least 25% of thefull screen or fill the slide in the background of the② Record the video, then edit the slide into it. Anotheroption is to have a monitor/screen with your slide behind
you and use it to record your presentation. Make sure thatthe contents of the slide are clearly viewable/readable
when you adjust it for use as a background. Also, make sure
to record your face clearly in the video.
＜Some Examples of Video Editing Tools＞
・KAPWING・VideoPad(NCH)video. Please refer to the descriptions of the “GoodExamples” and “Bad Example” on this page in regard
to the recording and editing of your video.
The viewable space for the video, not including thepresentation slide, must be pattern-less and use any

monochromatic color.

- Set up your shot so you are clearly in the frame, andnot being cut off at the top (visible from the waist up)
throughout your presentation. Make sure your face isin front of the camera and is clear. Record your video
in a bright room so that the audience can clearly seeyou.

Bad Example- Set up your standing position in a way that secures-Slide is too small to read
the words and/or view
the pictures/ diagrams.
-Difficult to recognize
facial expressions.

the space needed for the slide.
- Adjust both the slide and the video in 16:9widescreen, and save the video as an mp4 file.
- Upload the edited video onto YouTube. Enter theYouTube link in the Application Form after setting thevideo as “Unlisted".
77. References/Other Points to Note
References
Promotion Video for the HIRAKU 3MT Competition 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWj0Ezaa3Qg

HIRAKU 3MT Videos of the Former Winners
https://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/hiraku/en/hiraku3mt_pastwinners/

3MT Training Videos: Presentation Training 2019 (Hiroshima & Tokushima Universities)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1491&v=w2IjkHN5_G8

Other Points to Note
Handling of Personal Information-Personal information collected through your registration/application process shall be handled appropriately within thescope of the purposes of utilization set forth within the various privacy policies and rules concerning the handling of
personal information at Hiroshima University. The Competition Office will take necessary measures to prevent theleakage, loss of or damage to information and shall otherwise manage such information appropriately.

-We shall use the collected information to communicate with applicants regarding their registration/application, topublicize the presenters’ information within our official websites or brochures/other materials to be distributed at thecompetition, to conduct the smooth operation of the HIRAKU 3MT Competition including screening and final
announcement of results, as well as to send you information about events/seminars hosted by HIRAKU, etc. in the future.

-Please also kindly note that a Sponsor Award recipient might be directly contacted by the sponsor, based on the contact
information given by the Competition Office.

Live-Streaming & Web-Publication of Videos & Photographs-Please be aware that we are planning on recording and taking screenshots of the Final Stage in addition to the live-stream. We are planning to publicize the videos/photographs taken throughout the Final Stage, at a later date within theofficial website, amongst others.
Others-Please note that we cannot respond to individual inquiries in regard to the screening results.

-We may request for the presenters to kindly cooperate with us to develop future HIRAKU–related PR and other activities.

Inquiries/Contacts
The HIRAKU 3MT Operating Office (the Competition Office)Global Career Design Center at Hiroshima University
7-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8514
TEL： 082-424-2058 E-mail： hiraku3m@hiroshima-u.ac.jp8