2023 Ma & Morley scholars begin their transformative experience

Now in its sixth year, the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program has provided a transformative experience to close to 170 university students since 2018.

The program was born to honour the life-changing and enduring friendship between the successful Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma and respected Novocastrian Ken Morley. It consists of a program of activities to guide, educate and inspire the scholars, in order to help them broaden their thinking and strengthen their leadership skills.

Thank you to the Jack Ma Foundation for their generous and enduring commitment to inspire, educate and cultivate the next generation of globally aware and socially conscious Australian leaders.

Meet the 2023 MA & Morley Scholars

Berkdeniz Cavusoglu (Cav) - Bachelor of Medical Science

Berkdeniz Cavusoglu (Cav) came to Australia from Turkey as a refugee, spending his childhood in Perth before moving across the country to study at the University of Newcastle through the Open Foundation program. Despite facing many challenges like being bullied in high school and caring for his disabled mother, Cav overcame setback to gain meaningful insight into the value of resilience and compassion.

Cav is now studying a Bachelor of Medical Science and has been awarded a Ma & Morley Scholarship (Educational Disadvantage) that will help him continue to reach for his goal to support community-based health initiatives and advocate for people with disabilities.

Excited to receive a Ma & Morley scholarship Cav said that it will provide a special opportunity to help facilitate positive change in the world with the guidance of amazing mentors and other like-minded scholars.

“I view my place within the program as a privilege and the program as a platform through which I will give back to the world. I am thrilled and beyond grateful to have received this scholarship and look forward to commencing my studies in Medicine this year within the Joint Medical Program.”

Alannah Horne - Bachelor of Medical Science

Growing up in the Hunter, Alannah Horne, credits her close-knit community for instilling her persistence and positive attitude. Alannah is passionate about the impact of female role models in everyday settings and has advocated for many issues surrounding gender equality, including as an International Women’s Day speaker and volunteer fundraiser for Share the Dignity.

Alannah is studying a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Newcastle and has been awarded a Ma & Morley Scholarship (Academic Excellence). After completing her medical studies, Alannah hopes to work in her local community helping women and girls make informed decisions around their sexual and reproductive health.

Alannah said that receiving a Ma and Morley Scholarship will allow her to bolster her ambitions significantly.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a 2023 Ma and Morley scholar. I am looking forward to developing connections within a support network of socially conscious individuals who share in my passion for the values of the program. I am beyond excited to immerse myself in the opportunities of the scholarship and hope to use my experience to give back to the communities and people that have brought me here.”

Find out more about the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program.