Spark of Knowledge

Knowledge Discovery Challenge

The Knowledge Discovery Challenge is a national competition which invites participants to submit proposals that provide solutions to important development issues both in Canada and in other parts of the world.

In his address as the Chairman of the International Conference on the Example (Seerat) of the Prophet Muhammad in Karachi in 1976, Mawlana Hazar Imam said: "The wisdom of Allah's final Prophet in seeking new solutions for problems which could not be solved by traditional methods, provides the inspiration for Muslims to conceive a truly modern and dynamic society, without affecting the fundamental concepts of Islam." We hope that this inspiration will drive you to develop creative and relevant solutions to pressing problems facing humanity. Visit AKDN website.

How can you get involved? As an individual or a team of up to six members you have the opportunity to learn more about one of the following AKDN priority areas:

Caring for the Aged: aging in a supportive family environment
Ultra-Poverty: Turning the tide of poverty
The role of microfinance in unleashing opportunities in developing countries
Climate change and the need for developing sustainable energy
Emergency Preparedness: Limiting the loss of life and assets
Access to health care
Another AKDN priority area

Refer to a Sample Case Study

Applicants are invited to submit proposals using the following process:

You must have Adobe Reader installed to view the applications. Visit Adobe.com to download a Free version.

How do I get started?

Identify an issue based on one of the priority areas listed above. We have provided you priority areas with write-ups defining broader issues and some examples of current work in these areas. The issue statements identify a series of questions which should be considered as part of your challenge submission. These are broad categories and individuals/teams are encouraged to focus on specific issues within the priority areas selected.
You can enter the challenge as an individual; however we encourage you to form teams (maximum of 6 participants). A team will help you brainstorm ideas and share different perspectives on the issue you have chosen. Team members can consist of university students, professionals, immediate family members including non-Ismaili family members, or other individuals who are at least 16 years old at the time of proposal submission.
Complete the one-page Expression of Interest form by January 20th, 2008.
- Your Team Name
- Team member names and contact details (maximum of 6 participants including yourself)
- Priority Area (e.g., climate change)
- Problem statement to be addressed within the category of choice (e.g., sustainable energy solutions in Uganda)

How do I structure my problem statement?

Formulate your problem statement (maximum 1,500 words) citing all references used.
1. Identify a country where the AKDN currently operates along with a geographical region (e.g., city, province, state, etc.) within that country where the problem or issue that you wish to solve is prevalent. If the AKDN does not work within the region/country you wish to focus on, please explain why it should.
2. Provide an overview of the problem or issue that your team will solve and explain why it is important to address the problem or issue and how it relates to the AKDN Ethical Framework (provided in the Application Kit). Examples of problems or issues that you may wish to use and which relate to the AKDN Ethical Framework are available in the Issue Statements and Sample Case Study provided.
3. Describe the underlying factors that exacerbate and/or prevent the problem or issue from being easily addressed. Factors may include cultural, economic, educational, health, legal, political, or other factors.
4. Briefly identify how AKDN and/or other organizations (e.g., World Bank, IMF, etc.) have tried to address the problem or issue that you have identified along with what successes have been achieved to date. Clearly indicate which aspects of the problem or issue still need to be addressed and which you intend to address in your solution.

What is required in the final challenge submission?

Discuss and research the selected topic and brainstorm potential solutions
Complete the Challenge Submission form by providing details on:

How you would address the aspects of the problem or issue that you identified; participants should ensure to cite all references used. While solutions are not expected to exceed 1,500 — 2,000 words, there is no word limit on your proposed solution. Solutions will be judged according to the level of quality and thoughtfulness demonstrated. Supporting material (e.g., artistic work) may also be submitted as part of your solution.

As part of your submission, be sure to include the following:
- Executive summary
- Description of the aspects of the issue or problem that you wish to address
- Why the solution is politically supportable, technically correct, and administratively feasible
- Description of your solution including how your solution will address the underlying factors that exacerbate the problem or issue that you are addressing
- Projection of human and financial resources required to implement the solution (an estimate or indication of effort required to implement solution would be beneficial to understand order of magnitude; be sure to state assumptions clearly)
- Expected outcomes (qualitative and quantitative) of your solution and how you intend to measure your outcomes
- Expected outcomes (qualitative and quantitative) of your solution and how you intend to measure your outcomes
Submit final challenge forms and/or support materials

What is the judging process?

Academics and field experts from the community at large will serve as independent judges. Judges will evaluate submissions according to the following criteria:
1. Relevance to the work of the AKDN and alignment with the AKDN framework
2. Adherence to challenge eligibility criteria
3. Clear definition of issue (including selection of specific region and identification of region specific issue)
4. Clear articulation of underlying factors/issues contributing to the problem
5. Solution creativity, relevance, sustainability and pragmatism
6. Overall quality of submission
Judging Process may involve follow-up questions by a panel of judges

How do I know if I won the challenge?

All participants will be notified of the status of their submissions upon completion of the judging process. In the second half of 2008, Knowledge Discovery Challenge awards will be presented at an appropriate venue. Runner up prizes will also be awarded, refer to the Prizes section below for more details.

What happens following the challenge?

Potential opportunities for winning teams to present their solutions to the Jamat or at relevant conferences
On-going opportunities for future dialogue with AKDN
Winning submission(s) may be featured in the Ismaili Canada and/or other publications
Grand Prize to up to CAD $20,000 which will be applied toward the cost of a trip to an AKDN Project and/or Institution (if possible aligned to the category of submission), timing to be confirmed

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants/Team Members must meet ALL the eligibility criteria and must be:

At least 16 years old
Ismaili Muslim(s) or immediate family members of Ismaili Muslims in cases where teams consist of at least one Ismaili Muslim
Canadian Citizens, Landed Immigrants, or on Canadian Student Visas
Available for pre-travel and post-travel activities, as required

Applicants/Team members must not be:

Currently working for AKDN Institutions or recent employees of AKDN Institutions over the past 6 months
Directly or indirectly involved with the organization of the Knowledge Discovery Challenge
Immediate family members of AKDN employees and/or organizers of the Knowledge Discovery Challenge

Rules and Conditions

The following are some of the key rules and conditions of the Knowledge Discovery Challenge (please refer to the submission form for a detailed list):

All submissions (written and verbal) must be in English or French
All submission material must be original work; all references must be clearly outlined in the submission
Submission material and intellectual knowledge submitted may be freely used by or shared by the Council for Canada, and/or its current or future affiliates
Incomplete entries/forms submitted by participants may not be accepted and considered
A maximum of 6 individuals per team
Any submissions received after the deadline date will not be considered; participants are responsible for making arrangements to ensure they meet the deadline and follow the schedule outlined in the challenge
Participants and/or teams may submit multiple submission entries; however individuals/teams may not receive more than one prize
Team composition may not change once Expression of Interest form has been submitted without prior consent from the Spark of Knowledge team; the Spark of Knowledge team can be contacted at
Participants are responsible for covering all costs related to developing submissions

Prizes

All submissions will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges.

Grand Prize to up to CAD $20,000 which will be applied toward the cost of a trip to an AKDN Project and/or Institution (if possible aligned to the category of submission), timing to be confirmed.

Runner up Prizes: Additional prizes to be confirmed shortly.

A single participant/team may win up to a maximum of one award. Grand prize award recipients will have the opportunity to visit an AKDN Project and/or Institution to learn and understand the work of AKDN. For team entries, prizes will be awarded to the entire winning team (maximum of 6 participants).

Challenge Deadlines

Challenge Submissions must be received by the Aga Khan Education Board for Canada by midnight PST (Pacific Standard Time) on February 29th, 2008.

"Expression of Interest" forms should be submitted by January 20th, 2008. Participants meeting this date will be assigned to an advisor who will be able to answer your questions about the challenge.

All submissions must be made using one of the following channels: