Thesis in Three winner heads to Perth for Australasian competition

The ability to rattle off the main points of a doctoral thesis in three minutes is a challenge for some PhD students, but do it well and they can earn research funding and even a trip to Australia.

Last year’s University of Waikato Thesis in 3 winner, Azilawati Banchit from Waikato Management School heads to Perth next week to take part in the Australasian Thesis in 3 competition being hosted by the University of Western Australia.

From Malaysia to Waikato

Banchit, who’s from Malaysia but living in Hamilton with her husband and three children while she studies, is looking at mergers and acquisitions in countries that make up the Asean 5; how companies fare before and after takeover and the impact of majority shareholders on company survival and profitability. Her research involves extensive data collection and sophisticated financial econometrics.

“You would not believe how nervous I was last year, entering the Thesis in 3. My supervisor encouraged me to do it and I was thrilled just to make the final,” says Banchit. “To win it was unbelievable. I had people come up to me and say they didn’t know Muslim women could be so passionate – especially about finance. I think they expect us all to be quiet and unassuming. So perhaps my winning will help shatter some common stereotypes.”

She hopes her research will lead to a fairer system of business in East Asia. “But I’ve got to study and analyse ten year’s worth of data, and it will really depend on the results of my research as to what recommendations I’ll make.”

Banchit is studying in New Zealand with the assistance of scholarships from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education and University of Technology MARA (UiTM) Malaysia, where she lectures in finance. Her success in the Thesis in 3 competition earned her $5000 of research funding.

Postgraduate Research Month

Meanwhile Waikato postgraduate students are preparing for this year’s Thesis in 3 competition. Heats take place throughout October, which is Postgraduate Research Month at the university – and the final will be held at Clarence Street Theatre on October 26.

“Having to condense your work, maybe 500 pages, down to such a small time frame really makes you focus on what you’re actually trying to achieve with your research. It’s a valuable exercise,” says Banchit.

During Postgraduate Research Month, different faculty will also hold conferences for postgraduate students to present their research, there’ll be workshops for people contemplating postgraduate study, and social events that help students get to know each other.

“Sometimes study can be a lonely existence, so the networking is important,” says Pro Vice-Chancellor Postgraduate Research and Supervision, Professor Kay Weaver. “We do our best to make sure our higher degree students receive the support they need to successfully complete their degrees and are equipped for what comes afterwards.

“We value the contributions they’re making to the world of scholarship and the creation of new knowledge and we encourage them to publish, present, tutor and teach, which helps them on the academic job market and hopefully they’re more rounded for work outside academia too.”