Ma & Morley Scholarship Program Report 2023
Activities – Stages Two and Three
Stage 2 refers to the second year of the Program, when the focus of the Program is to cultivate leadership skills and capabilities. In Stage 3, Scholars have the opportunity to create meaningful, impactful change through their Action Projects. Scholars remain in Stage 3 until they graduate and become Ambassadors.
Core Program Activities
In 2023, we again delivered the Adaptive Leadership Intensive face-to-face by Harvard University-trained facilitators, included a session that challenged Scholars on their understanding of leadership and authority and the ever-changing dance between the two. The sessions were highly interactive and practical, with the Scholars learning to identify strengths within themselves and their peers, and exploring how they can create positive impact with new skills and discernment.
Keely Dunning
“This workshop made me stop and think about how I can act in leadership in my current life and how to be more engaging within group activities. I felt a thorough shift in my mindset regarding preconceived ideas of what leadership looked like."
The 2023 Action Projects provided Stage 3 Scholars with an experiential opportunity to be part of creating positive change in their area of study or a personal passion, in a project that aligns with the Program values. The purpose was to provide an applied experience to build Scholars’ leadership and confidence. Scholars then undertook their own research, planning and implementation of Projects, showcasing them at the end of year Gala.
Sophia Scepanovic
“While challenging, I definitely found the Action Project very rewarding, as I had been feeling a bit stagnant in the sense that I hadn't been acting on my values in many bigger picture ways. Everyone has been so supportive of my project, and while it is far from perfect, I feel really good about having laid down the foundations for something even bigger.”
Elise Rourke
2021 Ma & Morley Scholar
and Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science student
Stage 2 & 3 Scholars met at the Yarning Circle at our Ourimbah Campus to explore Darkinjung Country and commenced with introductions and a smoking ceremony. The day was spent with Gavi Duncan, Senior Tourism Cultural Education Officer with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Lands Council, exploring the rock carvings, water holes and stories of the local Aboriginal custodians. We also took the opportunity to draw on Scholars’ experience of the Program to explore their understanding of the terms ‘global awareness’ and ‘social consciousness’, which was vital input for the CEEHE research on the impact of the Program.
It had great impact on me: learning the devastating true history and stories of what has happened in the place that I live is so important. Learning about plants and their uses and Aboriginal spirituality and the beautiful connections with nature was fantastic.
Stage 2 & 3 Scholar
The annual celebration of the Scholars’ journeys was able to return to being more inclusive this year. Scholars and Ambassadors gathered at the Great Hall at the University with many inspiring people with whom they have collaborated throughout the year, to reflect on their action and growth, and celebrate the progress they have made. Their stories and messages were shared with the rest of the Ma & Morley family, Program stakeholders and the University community through both the face-to-face event and online live streaming for those who were unable to join us.
Other Leadership Program Activities
Following the lifting of travel restrictions and evolving COVID-19 policy, the Ma & Morley Scholar immersion to China was successfully completed in June, with a full program of activities exposing Scholars to the people, culture, commerce and history of China over 11 days. The eye-opening and life-changing immersion was intense, as tourist visas were not yet available and there were very few foreigners in China. Connections between the Scholars and with locals created a variety of meaningful relationships, which have increased Scholars’ global awareness and social consciousness. The engagements were very impactful, with the Scholars extending their physical, intellectual and emotional limits, while supporting each other on every step of the journey. Successful engagements with Hangzhou Normal University and the Jack Ma Foundation will lead to future opportunities to build bridges of friendship and understanding between our two countries. Many Scholars are keen to further develop their language skills and knowledge, intending to live, study and/or work in China in the future. 10 Scholars gained credit towards their degree from the China Immersion via an elective subject.
I gained so many things from this trip and I think I'll need a fair bit of time and perspective before I can really understand them all. First and foremost I gained so much knowledge and appreciation for Chinese culture and society in a way that I never could from Australia, especially given the prevailing tone of media here. I gained a much better understanding of myself and the things I enjoy, as well as learning how to find meaning in the world around me. Most importantly, I gained so many good friendships and connections with so many amazing people and I'm very glad that that is part of the trip that I can continue to experience back home. Moving forward, I think I understand my ability to care for others a lot more and my motivations for doing so, as well as the gaps in that and the mistakes I make. I want to spend a lot more time reflecting on the things I do, and while my diary was initially only for HUMA2001 I'm keen to spend more time recording my daily thoughts and putting my feelings into words. I'm still not entirely sure where I want to direct my life after uni, but this trip has opened up so many thoughts and possibilities for me and I've realised how important it is to me to try to find work that is meaningful and for the betterment of others. And I am intent on going back to China again, or even moving there if possible.
Ma & Morley Scholar
Connections 1:35
In this film, Scholars reflect on the connections made throughout the trip and the power of saying hello.
Global Awareness 1:43
In this film, Scholars share what it means to them to be globally aware.
Gratitude 1:40
In this film, Scholars reflect on what they are grateful for and the notion of reciprocity.
The Program has always intended to honour and celebrate the enduring and life changing friendship between Jack Ma and Ken Morley. Ken was a lifelong mentor to Jack, however learnt so much from the relationship himself.
One of the key principles of the Program is to build a community of Ma & Morley Scholars and Ambassadors, based on the common values that characterise and distinguish the Program’s unique identity. When the gift was secured, one of the key elements was to provide Scholars with a mentoring opportunity.
We continued Phase 1 of the mentoring program in 2023, which involved current Scholars mentoring the new 2023 Scholars. This provided mentors the opportunity to amplify the Scholarship Program experience for new Scholars, by sharing their learnings from the Program, university life and their personal journey with the values. It also demonstrated reciprocity in action: allowing mentors to be open to learn from the mentee and their lived experience. We also introduced Phase 2 for the Ambassadors, linking those interested with alumni and industry leaders across the globe.
Peer-led Program delivery
Scholars were able to hone their leadership and facilitation skills by delivering elements of the incoming Scholars’ Welcome and Leadership Workshops.
The Ma & Morley Ambassador Program continues the leadership journey of Ma & Morley Ambassadors to become globally aware and socially conscious leaders once they have graduated from the University of Newcastle. The Ambassador Program will enable the Ambassadors to remain connected to and give back to the Program. All activities will be aligned to the values of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program. 2023 included two Ambassador events, with Amplify Your Leadership Journey in May and History is Calling in August.
During Amplify Your Leadership Journey, Ambassador Kishaya Delaney and University of Newcastle alumna Jann Gardner shared their leadership journeys and tips on how to create impact in your professional and personal ventures, including the value of mentoring and being mentored. This was a perfect occasion to launch the Ambassador Mentoring Program, offering Ambassadors the opportunity to connect with alumni from the University of Newcastle and global industry leaders.
Ambassador Jasmin L’Green hosted the History is Calling event, with a panel discussion on the Uluru Statement from the Heart, specifically on the first reform, Voice. Jasmin created a safe and respectful space to learn about the upcoming referendum and provide accurate information to ensure attendees could make an informed decision. 2021 Scholar Mitch Whaley was the MC and the panel shared their knowledge and lived experience and included Ambassadors Jasmin L’Green and Kishaya Delaney, Associate Professor Amy Maguire (Associate Professor, School of Law & Justice) and James Ballangarry (Academic & Researcher with CEEHE). The audience expressed their gratitude for the amount of information and personal stories shared and felt more confident about the issue.
Ma & Morley Scholars visiting the Forbidden City, Beijing
2021 Scholars, Michael Rafferty, Alayah Lincoln and Montana Shoesmith at the Great Wall of China
2022 Scholars, Delta Hateley, Caitlin Ping and Hollie Crimmins walking to raise money for Suicide Awareness
2022 Scholars Eliza Shields, Levi Franks and Delta Hateley at the Leadership Intensive
2020 Scholar, Erin Hale, cleansing in a smoking ceremony while on the one-day Indigenous on Country Immersion
Ma & Morley Scholars visiting West Lake in Hangzhou, where Jack Ma first met the Morley family
2022 Scholar, Lucas Dowling, delivering a speech at the Australian Embassy in Beijing
Ma & Morley Scholars with University, Alibaba and Jack Ma Foundation staff visiting Alibaba in Hangzhou
2021 Scholars, Sophia Scepanovic and Elise Rourke at their Action Project charity art exhibition ‘I Made this for U’, pictured with 2021 Scholar, Jack Chambers
2021 Scholar, Tatjana Reid, teaching students dance in Japan as part of her New Colombo Plan Scholarship and Action Project
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.