2023 has presented us with the opportunity to reflect and review 6 years of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program which aims to inspire, educate and cultivate the next generation of globally aware and socially conscious Australian leaders.
2023 Ma & Morley Scholars
Professor Kent Anderson Foreword by Professor Kent Anderson
We started 2023 excited to embrace a full program of activities and opportunities and recommence our immersion to China. We also undertook two reviews: the second Triennial Review, which analyses and evaluates the performance of the Program against the Deed of Gift; and an Evaluative Research Report, by the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education, to better understand the impact of the Program. Both reports have provided invaluable insights into areas of strength and offered recommendations to improve the Program, which will be implemented over the coming years.
This Annual Report highlights that the Scholars have continued to develop their connections and skills to create impact through action. They have developed their global awareness and social consciousness through new learnings and shared experiences. Their leadership journeys continue to develop.
The University is very grateful to our generous partners. We would like to thank Mr & Mrs Ma, the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Group for enabling this Program to contribute to a more innovative and sustainable world. We are honoured to be working in partnership with Jason Pau, Beth Yu and the teams at the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Group to support the Scholars in creating a fairer, safer, more respectful and more sustainable world. It was wonderful to connect in person in Hangzhou in June and we look forward to deepening this relationship in 2024.
We would also like to acknowledge the feedback, guidance and counsel provided by our Ma & Morley Scholarship Program Advisory Committee across the year, as well as the many University stakeholders from all Colleges and Divisions that give generously of their time to engage with and contribute to the success of the Program.
We will continue to look ahead, embrace opportunities, solve challenges and deliver the future we imagine together.
Professor Kent Anderson Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Global The University of Newcastle
Georgia Stanford
This Scholarship will impact me professionally, socially, spiritually, everything. This experience is equipping me with the knowledge and the skills and the confidence to do more. Whether or not it's just in my community or globally, I feel very confident in my professional and educational life as well.
Georgia Stanford 2021 Ma & Morley Scholar and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) student
Video
2023 Ma & Morley Scholarship Program Highlights 4:24
Scholarships in Numbers
Applications received
145 applications received in 2022 for 2023 Scholarships
269
applications received in 2021
279
applications received in 2020
256
applications received in 2019
303
applications received in 2018
300
applications received in 2017
New Scholarships:
25 new Scholarships were awarded across 4 categories:
Educational Disadvantage - 8 Full degree Scholarships Providing an opportunity for everyone to make their mark on the world through higher education – regardless of their circumstances
Indigenous - 6 Full degree Scholarships Supporting Indigenous students to be future leaders in their communities and beyond
Academic Excellence - 7 Full degree Scholarships Giving students with potential and a proven academic track record a helping hand to do amazing things
Lĭng Jūn - 4 One-off Scholarships This phrase in the contemporary Chinese context means a leader or pioneer in innovation, politics and industry, and captures the values of a Ma & Morley Scholar. This category provides students with demonstrated leadership experience the chance to flourish. Lĭng Jūn Scholars participate in immersion experiences and other elements of the Enrichment Program, but it is not a direct financial scholarship.
Number of Scholars and Ambassadors in the Program
123
Scholars
44
Ambassadors
Ambassadors are Scholars who have graduated from their degree program.
Demographics
53
Indigenous students have received a Scholarship across the Program’s 4 categories (32% of all 167 Scholars/Ambassadors)
70
Scholars previously completed a University Pathway Program prior to their undergraduate degree program (42% of all 167 Scholars/Ambassadors)
Gender breakdown of Scholars and Ambassadors in the Program
56
male Scholars/Ambassadors (34%)
109
female Scholars /Ambassadors (65%)
2
non-binary Scholars /Ambassadors (1%)
Financial Support
A$824,375* distributed in direct financial assistance to
82 full-degree Scholars
31
Educational Disadvantage
23
Indigenous
28
Academic Excellence
*Note: Scholars studying part time receive pro-rata Scholarship payments, which is accounted for in this total
Promotion of the Program
18,942
viewers reached
42,581
engagements
557,604
impressions
22,317
viewers reached via email
56,416
website views
115
registrations from 3 application help workshops
Ma & Morley slide included in 2023 school presentations + on-campus visits
103 x Year 12 presentations
53 x Year 10 & Year 11 presentations
59 x on campus visits
Promoted at Parent Info Sessions (Newcastle, Central Coast, Central West, New England)
Included in key Future Students webinars such as Year 10 Subject Selection, Joint Medical Program Info Session, TAFE to Uni, Mid Year Info Session
Direct emails to Careers Advisers and Principals
Postcards distributed to schools, expos, info days, Open Day, University Roadshow, GRIP (Generosity, Responsibility, Integrity, People) Leadership Conference
Open Day scholarships session and inclusion in expo
Ma & Morley scholars included in ambassador pool and on ‘Ask a Student’ page
Ma & Morley included in Future Students schools newsletter in August, September (sent to approx. 900 careers advisers, teachers and principals across NSW)
Optional Program Opportunities
Experience
Peer-led
Open to all University students
Aligned to Program values
Ambassador Program Scholar-led evening combining a panel discussion, focusing on one of the values of the Program
✓
✓
✓
Peer-peer mentoring ‘buddy system’ between experienced and new Scholars
✓
✓
Formal mentoring with external mentors
✓
Paycee Cubby
The people that I've met through this Scholarship are my best friends. I met our Scholarship group one day and I considered them my best friends the next. The connections you make in that first couple of days is so deep and meaningful that it's going to last for life.
Paycee Cubby
2022 Ma & Morley Scholar and Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management student
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.
