A Presentation by MY -FIKR (Muslim Youth Foundation of Intellectual Know-how and Research )

1. A PLATFORM FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT! A Presentation by MY -FIKR (Muslim Youth Foundation of Intellectual Know-how and Research ) Feb 13, 2014 Sponsors: Generous Contributors and Friends of Mafiq Foundation, Inc. (Host of EPC and MYDT)

2. Our Goals & Roles • to engage our youth in investigation of community issues using a scientific approach in a competitive environment • to enable our emerging leaders experience the social dynamics and the intricacy of the diverse muslim community issues • to encourage our youth to ponder and reflect and become the fakih of the future

3. A Unique Initiative • What is this about? • A RESEARCH INTERNSHIP for high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students. • What does this entail? • a summer long scientific investigation of community issues • the participants are encouraged to identify and solve challenges, as well as discover how they can make a difference in their communities. FOCUS: Youth Capability Building through hands-on real-world problem solving.

4. Course Prerequisites and • Student Qualification for Internship • High School Seniors • A currently enrolled college/university graduate/undergraduate student • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for transition to phase 2 (No GPA restriction for one who receives 80% or more in Phase 1 review) • Must have a good command in on-line collaboration and be able to maintain an electronic presence with the mentor via various modes of communication (email, web interfacing, Google Document, Yahoo group, Skype conference etc.). • A statistics course is recommended • Demonstrated community service (volunteer or paid) and interest in community affairs • Able to spend on the average 8 to 12 hours per week during the regular semester No one learns how to swim unless one goes to the water. This project will provide you a practical experience to generate knowledge by critical analysis of real world community issues. For more information, or to enroll, please Contact: mysti@my-fikr.org

5. Incentives and Summer Stipends • Write a proposal on a community issue and receive $100 (no commitment, no obligation) • - Top 10 proposals receive $100 each for successfully completing phase 1 requirements • Be a summer intern and earn $1,000 • - three interns will be selected for the summer internship • - up to $1K per internship depending on the merit and quality of the effort, and its benefit to the community – total stipend for summer 2014 may not exceed $3K

6. Summer Internship Program Outline PHASE 1 Proposals Solicitation PHASE 2 (Summer Internship for Selected Interns) Be among the pioneering participants of the first ever summer internship for researching issues that are dearer to you.

7. A Flow Chart on the Research Internship Panel of Experts (POE) selects Thematic Topic on the Research Contest • Prospective Participant • Selects Mentor • Develops draft schedule of engagement (mentor/mentee) • Prepares & Submits proposal Call for Proposal Phase 1 Proposals Review and Selection of Candidates for Summer Internship Rework & Resubmit No OK POE Review & Judging Rework & Resubmit Phase 2 Summer Internship Yes No OK POE Midpoint Review & Judging Phase 3 Final Submission Yes

8. Process and Exceution Plans • Execution Plan – • A three phase summer long research internship monitored and mentored by a Muslim Scholar(s) assigned to each participant. Each research project will be evaluated and ranked by a panel of experts. Each phase must be endorsed and approved by the designated/approved mentor. • Phase 1: Proposal Solicitation & Selection of qualified candidates for summer internship • Phase 2: Summer Internship • Phase 3: Deliberation and evaluation

9. Phase 1: Rubrics • Problem Statement (20%) • What problem in your community do you intend to solve? Why is this problem important to your community and how does it relate to the given theme? • What types of resources do you plan to use to complete your research? • Hypothesis(20%) • State your hypothesis and describe how it could help solve your problem. • How do you plan to measure the validity of your hypothesis? • How do you plan to measure the success of your hypothesis? • Data Collection and Analysis Strategy (50%) • There are many questionable sources of information found on the internet or person to be interviewed. How will you determine if your research information is valid and scientifically acceptable? • State your proposed experimental process and procedures. • State the types of data you will be collecting and the types of analysis you will be conducting and how do you plan to organize your data in support of your research project. • Planned Schedule (10%) • Outline a tentative schedule of your time commitment and the tasks that you plan to accomplish in support of the project. Top 10 proposals (score 80% and higher) receive $100 each and three among them are selected for the summer internship ($1,000 each) (See Phase 1 Template on the next slide)

10. Phase 1 : Proposal Template TITLE: Descriptive title of Proposal YOUR & YOUR MENTOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION: BACKGROUND: What is the problem statement? Why is this research needed? Outline previous work in this field (i.e literature search). How would the results of the proposed research fill this need and be beneficial. HYPOTHESIS & OBJECTIVE: • State your hypothesis and describe how it could help solve your problem. Describe what specifically this project will accomplish. Characterize the scope of what is being accomplished. METHODOLOGY and APPROACH: This section needs to answer self-imposed questions and should reflect that the student has good understanding of the problem and of the barriers in the path. Some of the questions that should be answered include- • (a) What are the constraints (if any)? • (b) What are the technical challenges and uncertainties? • (c) What are the different approaches to this problem? • (d) What is your preferred approach and why? Explain your methodology to conduct the research and to obtain the stated objectives. DELIVERABLES Itemize the list of deliverables with rough dates so that you can make concerted effort to achieve them.

11. Phase 2 : Summer Internship Check List • Select a mentor • Lay down an action plan with an itemized list of deliverables • Schedule of activities • Mentor/mentee meeting schedule and approved mode of communications

12. Mid Term Evaluation & Progress Update A mid-term evaluation of progress update is required based on the rubrics below: • Data Collection and Analysis Strategy (90%) • Explain the resources that you used and the challenges that you are experiencing, if any. • Explain the analysis that you have performed and the trends in your results. • Explain any mid-course correction/changes in the planned approach, and why such changes are needed? • Explain what your data indicate in support t of your hypothesis • Planned Schedule (10%) • Update your schedule, if any , and explain any significant changes on the planned schedule and state the reasons for such changes. A minimum score of 80% is recommended for successful completion of the mid-term.

13. Phase 3: Final Report and Presentation • A comprehensive report on the research project explaining what was done, why was done, how was performed, what benefit does it bring to the community, what innovative approach was used, and how one could implement the proposed solution. Your report must address items listed below in addition to those indicated on Phases 1 and 2. • Present your data in a clear, understandable manner – explain what your data shows, describe and analyze the results of your experimenters. • Explain the sources of error and how these affected your results • Describe your solution and how it will help to benefit the community. • What would the next steps be for continuing your research? • Describe how you have or how you could implement your solution in the future. You will be evaluated based on the “Overall Project Evaluation Criteria” attached

14. Overall Project Evaluation Criteria • Evaluation Criteria: • Application of the Scientific Method (60%) • - Effective use of scientific methods and problem solving strategies • - Research is extensive and sources are reputable • - Conclusions formulated are logical based on data collected • Benefit to the Community (20%) • - Proposed solution could have a positive impact on the whole/partial community • Direct demonstration of the benefit of the proposed solution on the community • Potential that the proposed solution might actually be implemented • Innovation, Creativity, and Originality (20%) • Creative use of data collection and data analysis • Creative model to represent the proposed solution and implementation strategy A minimum score of 80% is recommended for subsequent continuation into next year.

15. Program Dates and Expectations • Research proposals based on Phase 1 requirements is due no later than the April 30 for the Summer 2014 term. • Registration and mentor selection must be completed by May 31 • Summer Internship begins NLT June 20 • Mid term progress review update based on Phase 2 requirements is due 4 weeks after the Phase 1 review or NLT July 31. • Final report is required based on Phase 3 guidelines NLT Aug 29. Final presentation date TBD. • Students will take primary responsibility for conducting research and do so with professional attitudes and time commitments. This is an independent course and an average of 8-12 hours per week working and thinking about the project is anticipated. • Students will be self-motivated and work independently, approaching the mentor for guidance regularly. Proposal, midterm and final reports must be approved by the mentor. • Student’s communications and data collection are to be recorded and be readily available for review by the panel of judges. • Summer Interns agree to write technical articles and publish about the project • Students are encouraged to present research results at appropriate meetings (i.e. ISNA, ICNA, CAIR , Islamic Centers and academic institution) and also in Muslim Link, The Message, Islamic Horizon, or Jumah Magazine

16. A POTENTIAL LIST OF RESEARCH TOPICS • A high level overview of the various research themes that are relevant to Islamic Community. Here are examples of some of project topics that you might be interested in: • Best practices to keep Muslim Youth engaged in community affairs • Best practices to keep Muslim Youth away from social ills • Best practices to keep Muslim Youth faithful to their religion and community • Evaluation of quality and effectiveness of Imam in an Islamic Center • Evaluation of quality and effectiveness of Family ties • Evaluation of Post High school Masjid-drop out syndrome - Why the University bound youth are increasingly getting disinterested in the Islamic Community affairs • Research into how best to collaborate among Islamic organizations/centers • Research into how to benchmark/evaluate the quality of Islamic Centers organizational structure and leadership models • Research into perceptions of and values attached to weekend Islamic schools • Research into perceptions of and values attached to full-time Islamic schools • Research into how to normalize the college environment to make it conducive to the Islamic Values • Research and development of models for capturing Muslim behavioral data • Research and evaluate the outcome of community education - its impact on community development and suggest the best practice

17. Founding Board of Directors • Dr. Farid Ahmed • Dr. Mostafiz Chowdhury • Dr. Nazrul Islam • Request you to be a part of this effort as a mentor, sponsor, or parent of an intern and help us succeed bi’idni’Allah. • Key features to succeed are our longing to succeed!

18. Key Features to Succeed • A Trusted and Committed Mentoring System – mentors, evaluates, and ranks • Attractive Incentives – to attract and retain qualified students • Potential College Credit Hours - Fairfax Institute has shown an interest to work out a plan to offer this project as an independent research class for college credits hours through Shenandoah University.

19. Mentor Qualification & Commitment • An academic professional with a social science background is desired, however, any professional with a strong research and development background could become a mentor for this research program. • At least a Masters or a terminal degree in the area of expertise. • A subject matter expert or have substantial expertise on the area/topic being researched • Must be a good command in on-line communication and be able to maintain an electronic presence with the mentee via various modes of communication (email, web interfacing, Google Document, Yahoo group, Skype conference etc.). • Demonstrated community service and interest in community affairs. • Able to spend 2 to 4 hours per week during the summer trem. Your service is essential! For more information, or to enroll, please Contact: mysti@my-fikr.org

20. Mentoring role and goal • Our goal is to link each mentee with a qualified and resourceful mentor who is committed, willing to guide, direct, provide feedback, evaluate, and work closely with the student intern to enable them succeed in the project. Mentors are committed to serve the youth in expanding their critical analytical capability and exposing them with the real-world research experience, insha’Allah. • An electronic mode of collaborations (email, web interfacing, yahoo group, Skype conference etc.) between the mentors and the mentees are desired. • Mentors are anticipated to evaluate and score their student’s project based on the criteria established and also serve as members of the panel of experts(POE) responsible for judging, evaluating, and ranking the competing projects. • Mentors will set realistic goals, commit time, clarify roles and responsibilities of mentor and mentee, provide timely feedback and establish frequent communications. Mentoring is the key to the success of this platform. PLEASE Volunteer and Participate in capability building of our Youth! For more information, or to volunteer, please Contact: Mostafizc2001@yahoo.com

21. What’s next? • Need financial commitment from sponsor like you • Need interested mentors and their commitment to make the project a success, Insha'Allah. • get involved and you will find it rewarding and fulfilling • stability and retention of judges are the key factors • Need promoting the ideas to recruit committed Students of high caliber • Continued and renewed commitment and partnership with our stakeholders to establish a sustained youth development platform for Metropolitan DC and beyond Promote, Contribute, Volunteer, and Participate in capability building of our Youth! Be a part of it and experience the difference!

22. Incentives and Promotional Plan • Initiation stipend: up to $100 to the top ten proposals for successfully completing phase 1 requirements – total award NTE $1,000 • Summer Stipend: up to $1K per internship depending on the merit and quality of the effort, and its benefit to the community – total stipend for summer 2014 may not exceed $3K, which could reward up to 3 internships. • Project Continuation: Selected interns can continue the project during the school year – total stipend NTE $3K Total funding need/year is $7,000. Your tax deductible generous contributions could make this materialize! Please contact with your pledges: Mostafizc2001@yahoo.com

23. Upcoming events… • 2014 MYDT at Al Fatih Academy, Reston, Va on 21 June 2014

24. Organized by the Generous Contributors and Friends of of Mafiq Foundation, Inc. – Host of EPC and MYDT For comments or questions please email mysti@my-fikr.org URL: http://www.my-fikr.org JazakallahuKhairan for your continued interest on our youth development platform. Please share this message with your contacts and help us achieve our goal.