AFMI’s Medal Program

Zafar U. Khan1, Ph.D., Professor

Eastern Michigan University

Introduction
The American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) a philanthropic charity organization
was founded in 1989 by a group of similar minded Muslim Americans under the leadership of Dr. A.S.
Nakadar. From its inception the goal of the organization has been to improve the socio-economic status
of underprivileged Indian Muslim minorities through education. To further their goal of 100% literacy,
AFMI has engaged in a number of projects, such as rehabilitation of Muslim educational Institutions,
establishing schools, vocational guidance for specialized courses, scholarships to deserving and needy
students, establishment of centers of excellence, and educational motivation through recognition. This
article is about the educational motivation program through recognition, called the AFMI Medal
Program and its scope and possible impact.

Education and Gala Awards

For long AFMI has held two conventions every year, one in India and the other in the U.S. While
the theme of the convention in USA has been different each year, the theme of the Indian convention
has always been Education and Gala Awards Ceremony. In 2010 AFMI held its 18th Annual International
Convention on Education and Gala Awards Ceremony in the Indian city of Indore. At this annual
convention held every year since 1993in different cities and states, top ranking, bright and meritorious
students from secondary (HSC) and Intermediate (SSC) Board Examinations from all over India are
recognized with Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals numbering 100 plus in recent years along with
scholarships worth hundreds of thousands of Rupees. The conventions are indeed a gala affair graced by
local dignitaries to high ranking state and national leaders from India and AFMI delegates from the USA.
Over the years, guests at the conventions have included current and former prime ministers, ministers,
governors, and members of parliament, educators and other leaders invited to distribute medals2.

Scope and Impact of the Medal program

The first medals were awarded by AFMI in 1993 with a modest start of 46 students who had
demonstrated high academic achievement from five different states (Exhibit 1). By 2008 the number of
students receiving the medals increased to 101, with a maximum of 110 in 2007, covering 18 states
(Exhibit 2). Over the 16 year period (1993 to 2008), AFMI awarded a total of 1296 medals, an average of
81 medals/year, to outstanding students from 25 different states and union territories (Exhibit 3) and
over 300 cities. Exhibit 4 presents the number of medals awarded to students from each state. UP and

1
The author would like to recognize editorial help provided by Dr. Habib Zuberi, Professor Emeritus, Central
Michigan University.
2
Among the many dignitaries were V.P. Singh, H.D. Deve Gowda, Inder Kumar Gujral, Ram Vilas Paswan, Salman
Khurshid, Dr. A.R. Kidwai, Saiyid Hamid, A.M. Ahmadi, and Sunil Dutt.
Gujarat have received the highest, 107 medals each; followed by Maharashtra with 105, Andhra Pradesh
97, Tamil Nadu 94, Karnataka and MP 87, and Rajasthan and West Bengal with 80 each.

Of the total 1296 medals awarded 479 were Gold, 421 Silver, and 395 Bronze. Further, a total of
738 (57%) medals were awarded to boys and 558 (43%) to girls. Interestingly, the mean percentage of
marks 88.12% achieved by girls was significantly (t=3.49, p=.001) higher than the mean 86.95% marks
achieved by boys. These results are consistent with anecdotal evidence from India and U.S. studies
suggesting that girls performing significantly better than boys in education.

Students who received these awards performed at a very high level. Their examination scores
ranged from 75 percent to 99.38 percent with a mean score of 87.45 percent. In short they all
distinguished themselves as top ranking students in the country. What is most encouraging to note is
that over the 16 year period3 this study covers, the examination scores of the recipients have continued
to improve. An analysis of the percentage achieved by medal recipients over the 16 year period from
1993 to 2008 shows a significant (p=.0068 to p=1.71E-09) upward trend (Exhibit 5 – Exam Percentage
Regressed Over Time).

Conclusion
Further analysis shows that competition has become so keen that the difference of marks
between a gold medalist and a silver medalist is hardly 0.1 % (1/10 of 1%) and in some states students
receiving 96% don't even get a bronze medal. Motivation theory recognizes the importance of extrinsic
motivation from rewards and recognition for performance. Accordingly, this leads us to believe that an
award system encourages students to be more competitive and therefore, perform better at the exams.
Hence, it is reasonable to conclude that AFMI's medal program4 has contributed positively to student
achievement at the Board Exams.

3
Complete data available for 1993 to 2008 only.
4
Sponsors of the AFMI medal program include Ali Qureshi, Dr. Shakir Mukhi, Dr. A.S. Nakadar, Babu Khalfan, Dr.
Tajuddin Ahmad, Dr. Parvez Khan, Dr. Mohiuddin, Kamil Hasan, and Shahzad Shafiwala.
 Exhibit 1 - AFMI awarded Medals in 5 states in 1993 Exhibit 2 - AFMI awarded Medals in 18 states in 2008

Medals Awarded in States

Exhibit 3 - AFMI awarded Medals in 25 states 1993-2008
Exhibit 5 – Exam Percentage Regressed Over Time
HSC - Silver
HSC - Gold Exam % by Years
Exam % by Years 100.00%

100.00%
95.00%

95.00%
90.00%
90.00%
85.00%
85.00%
80.00%
80.00%

75.00%
75.00%

70.00%
70.00%

1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2005
2006
2007
2008
2008
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2003
2004
2005
2005
2006
2007
2007
2008

Silver Linear (Silver)

Gold Linear (Gold)

R2 Coefficient t-Value p-Value

R2 Coefficient t-Value p-Value
E 0.068711 0.003628 3.724333 0.000259
0.044872 0.002914 3.243992 0.001359
 HSC - Bronze SSC - Gold
Exam % by Years Exam % by Years
100.00% 100.00%

95.00% 95.00%

90.00% 90.00%

85.00%
85.00%

80.00%
80.00%

75.00%
75.00%

70.00%
70.00%
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2004
2005
2006
2006
2007
2008
2008

1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2005
2006
2007
2008
2008
Bronze Linear (Bronze)
Gold Linear (Gold)

R2 Coefficient t-Value p-Value R2 Coefficient t-Value p-Value

0.043496 0.0028186 2.739195 0.006836 0.134811 0.004304 6.253789 1.71E-09
 SSC - Silver SSC - Bronze
Exam % by Years Exam % by Years
100.00% 100.00%

95.00% 95.00%

90.00% 90.00%

85.00% 85.00%

80.00% 80.00%

75.00% 75.00%

70.00% 70.00%
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1998
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2004
2005
2006
2007
2007
2008

1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2004
2005
2006
2007
2007
2008
Silver Linear (Silver) Bronze Linear (Bronze)

R2 Coefficient t-Value p-Value R2 Coefficient t-Value p-Value

0.10506 0.0039578 5.196191 4.48E-07 0.069441 0.003286 4.10666 5.61E-05