ECS Postgraduate Student Wins VUW 3 Minute Thesis Competition

22 Jun 2012 - 10:34:27 in Achievement
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Abigail Rajendran, a Masters student in Engineering has won the Victoria University 3 Minute Thesis Competition. Abigail gave a speech based on her research project, titled 'Magneto-Rheological Compliant Actuator for Stroke Rehabilitation'. Her project involves using magneto-rheological fluid to design and build a compliant actuator that could be used to rehabilitate the hand of a person who has had a stroke. The device first repetitively exercises a person's hand in order to help them re-learn the muscle sensation and therefore regain control of their hand movements, and then creates resistance against the user’s movements, allowing them to build up muscle strength.

The 3 minute thesis concept originates from the University of Queensland, where the first competition was hosted in 2008. From there, the idea spread to other Australian and New Zealand universities, and the inaugural Australasian-level competition was held in 2010. The purpose of the competition is to give postgraduate students the opportunity to develop their academic and research communication skills by delivering a speech on their thesis topic that is aimed at an educated but non-specialist audience. Speakers are judged according to audience comprehension, audience engagement, and communication style.

As the winner of the VUW final, Abigail won $3,000 and gained the opportunity to attend the Australasian final at the University of Queensland in October. We wish Abigail the best of luck at the final in Australia and congratulate her on such a deserving project!

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