Yasina Somani and Patti WeirYasina Somani, first-place finisher in the UWindsor Three Minute Thesis competition, accepts congratulations for dean of graduate studies Patti Weir.

Funding helps to support University’s strategic priorities

Support for the Three Minute Thesis competition is a small investment with a big payoff, say organizers. A boost in base funding of $7,700 per year allows the University of Windsor to host the annual research communication event, one of 13 projects to receive monies this year from the Strategic Priority Fund.

The competition requires graduate students to describe their research and its significance to a lay audience in three minutes. The University of Windsor has participated for the past two years—MHK candidate Yasina Somani qualified for the 2014 national finals.

Alison Samson, director of graduate academic services, says the program provides valuable experience for students: “The format of the three minute presentations helps the contestants learn to communicate the importance of their work and make it intelligible to the public.”

She says the new funding will cover costs like prize monies, marketing expenses, a reception for participants, and the travel costs of UWindsor champions to the provincial finals.

“We already have received support from the Graduate Student Society and the Alumni Association, as well as in-kind contributions from many people on- and off-campus,” Samson says.

Other projects that received funding in this round include:

The Strategic Priority Fund, allocated by the Office of the Provost, supports projects that enhance UWindsor operations to meet its strategic objectives. Learn more on its website.