Winners Announced: 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

With great anticipation and excitement, BH Futures Foundation proudly hosted the 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Online Award Ceremony on June 15th, 2025, marking another milestone in our ongoing mission to celebrate and empower academic excellence and innovation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This year’s competition brought together a diverse and talented group of 21 participants, spanning from high school students to Ph.D. candidates, each tasked with the challenge of presenting their complex research in just three minutes. Their ability to communicate ideas clearly, creatively, and with passion made this one of the most competitive and inspiring editions yet.

In total, 12,800 BAM in prizes were awarded across multiple categories—4,000 BAM generously supported by BHAAAS—in recognition of outstanding presentations and research communication.

Keynote Address: "A Map With No X" by Ajla Džanko

One of the most memorable moments of the event was the powerful keynote address delivered by our esteemed alumna, Ajla Džanko. In her talk, titled "A Map With No X – Lessons From a Wandering Researcher," Ajla shared valuable lessons from her personal journey through academia and research. Her reflections offered honest and motivating advice for young scholars navigating uncertain paths:

  • Choose your mentors, supervisors, and environments wisely—they shape your growth

  • Confidence is key

  • Being the least experienced person in the room is an opportunity to learn

  • Isolation is real, especially when away from loved ones

  • Own your choices

  • There are no templates—you carve your own path

  • Let the question “What do I truly want to do?” guide you

  • It never gets easier, so choose a path you genuinely love

Her words struck a chord with attendees and reminded us that academic success is often nonlinear, shaped by resilience, self-discovery, and authenticity.

Introducing a New Category: Best High School Project

For the first time, the 2025 3MT competition included a brand-new award: Best High School Project. This addition highlights our commitment to nurturing future scientists and thinkers from an earlier age, encouraging innovation at the secondary school level.

🏆 And the Winners Are...

Undergraduate Category

(Judged by expert panel)
🥇 1st Place: Sanjin Halilhodžić – 4.91 points (1,500 BAM)
🥈 2nd Place: Iva Janković – 4.34 points (1,000 BAM)
🥉 3rd Place: Ilma Hodžić – 4.27 points (500 BAM)

Master’s Category

🥇 1st Place: Emina-Ferzana Uzunović – 4.49 points (1,500 BAM)
🥈 2nd Place: Tea Zulčić – 4.37 points (1,000 BAM)
🥉 3rd Place: Hanka Goralija – 4.08 points (500 BAM)

Ph.D. Category

🥇 1st Place: Kenan Kraković – 4.54 points (3,000 BAM)
🥈 2nd Place: Martina Matuško – 4.49 points (2,000 BAM)
🥉 3rd Place: Benjamin Šabić – 4.36 points (1,000 BAM)

Best High School Presentation

🏅 Selma Veladžić – 4.55 points (400 BAM)

Public Vote Winner

❤️ Iva Maksimović – 816 likes (400 BAM)

Honorable Mentions

We proudly acknowledge all other participants whose passion, effort, and ideas made this event extraordinary:

High School Category:

Undergraduate Category:

Master’s Category:

Ph.D. Category:

From high school classrooms to advanced research labs, each presentation was a testament to the incredible potential within our academic community. These young researchers are not only advancing knowledge in their fields but are also becoming compelling science communicators—translating complex ideas into stories that matter.

🎥 Watch all the presentations and relive the excitement of the 2025 3MT Ceremony.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners, judges, mentors, and the entire BH Futures community for supporting this journey. Together, we are shaping a future driven by curiosity, courage, and innovation.

Watch the full 3MT Award Ceremony video here.

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