Ma & Morley Scholarship Program - Category: Indigenous

Amount

up to $50,000

Number Available

6 including 3 specifically for students who have completed a University of Newcastle Pathway Program such as Yapug or Open Foundation (or are set to complete in 2023).

Closing date

Applications open 1 July 2024

Scholarship Details

The Ma & Morley Scholarship Program was born to honour the life changing and enduring friendship between the successful Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma and the respected Novocastrian Ken Morley through a program that aims to inspire, educate and cultivate the next generation of globally aware and socially conscious Australian leaders.

Applicable to: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.


Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in first year of study in any undergraduate degree program at the University of Newcastle in the year of scholarship award
  • Enrol in a minimum of 20 units
  • Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be recognised as such within your community
  • Provide required documentation - see below
  • Have leadership aspirations
  • Demonstrated commitment to one or more Ma & Morley values
  • Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle donor-funded or donor-sponsored scholarship
  • Not have completed another degree
  • Must be available to participate in program activities, as per the key dates

3 of the 6 scholarships available in this category will be awarded to students who have completed a University of Newcastle Pathway Program (Yapug or Open Foundation) or are set to complete in 2023

For more information on this scholarship, please review the full Terms and Conditions (PDF, 191KB).


Required Documentation

Before applying it is recommended that all applicants read Application help and contact us at mamorley@newcastle.edu.au if you have any further questions.

You will be required to create a scholarship profile using the University's Scholarship Portal. The portal is where you will upload your required documentation. The portal will also require you to upload an additional one-page personal statement outlining your academic achievement to date and how a scholarship would assist you and your career aspirations. We suggest that all applicants complete this statement so that they are eligible for other University of Newcastle scholarships.

Below are the documents that you will need to upload in PDF format to your University of Newcastle Scholarship Profile on the Scholarship Portal:

  1. An 800-word written statement addressing the two application questions, which can be found on the Application help page.
  2. A written reference from a responsible person. This person can include a higher education or VET educator, employer/manager/supervisor, community elder, doctor, specialist medical professional, lawyer, accountant, social worker, counsellor, religious or community leader, high school teacher, principal, counsellor, year advisor or career advisor. Your reference cannot be written by a relative.

Required Documentation for Indigenous Category Eligibility:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity is unique and sacred to every person.  Applicants for the University of Newcastle’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific scholarships are required to provide evidence to support their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity and heritage.

For more information about this process please see the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander - Establishing Status Within the University Procedure and Policy.

This is in addition to your scholarship application and will allow you to be considered for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific scholarships as well as other specific programs which may include tutorial support, student accommodation and alternative entry pathways.

For any enquiries please email EstablishingStatus@newcastle.edu.au


Benefit

The scholarship currently provides a benefit of:

  • Up to $50,000 for entire degree. Paid in lump sum payments of $5,000 each semester after the census date (pro-rata for students studying 30 or 20 units).
  • Access to values based leadership program
  • China immersion experience (subject to travel restrictions and health advice)*
  • Life-long friendships and bonds

* Due to the impacts of COVID-19 the China global immersion is pending for the 2024 Scholars. More details will be made available at a later date.


Leadership program activities and minimum level of participation across program stages

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
January/February 2024 - Scholar Welcome Program April 2025 - Indigenous Cultural Immersion Day Reasonable participation in action projects as agreed with the Program Coordinator Reasonable participation in supporting stage 1-3 Scholars as agreed with the Program Coordinator**
June 2024 - China Immersion*April 2025 - 2-day Leadership Intensive  **only relevant if still attending university and receiving scholarship payment
August 2024 - Indigenous ImmersionNovember/December 2025 - Ma & Morley Gala  
October 2024 - Values: Reflect & ShareReasonable participation in enrichment program monthly activities as agree with the Program Coordinator  
November/December 2024 - Ma & Morley Gala   
Reasonable participation in leadership program monthly activities as agreed with the Program Coordinator   

*Travel to China is pending travel restrictions and health advice. Activities may need to be adapted, substituted or postponed, sometimes at short notice.


Selection

Selection of the Scholar will be on the basis of an assessment of the application and supporting documents against the eligibility criteria. An interview process will follow for shortlisted candidates.


College


Contact Details

Ma & Morley Scholarship Coordinator
Office of Alumni & Philanthropy
University of Newcastle
University Drive
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308


Email: mamorley@newcastle.edu.au