UNIVERSITY of Newcastle students have been given an exclusive opportunity to meet Alibaba Group co-founder and entrepreneur Jack Ma in China, thanks to a unique scholarship program he founded.
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The Jack Ma Foundation made a US$20 million philanthropic commitment in 2017 to fund UON's Ma and Morley Scholarship Program, which was established to pay tribute to Mr Ma's connection to Newcastle and honour his enduring friendship with Novocastrian Ken Morley.
Each year it comprises 20 scholarships for first year students that last the duration of their degree and include access to a tailored enrichment program, plus 10 "immersion experiences" available for continuing students.
It aims to help recipients develop friendships, skills and global connections to uphold the program's values of peace and demilitarisation; cultural respect; justice and equity among all people; ethics in entrepreneurship; environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
The group of 29 recipients is in China from June 27 to July 7 on a 10-day "immersion trip" intended to highlight Mr Ma's life journey and his friendship with Mr Morley, which includes meeting Mr Ma and visiting internet giant Alibaba's headquarters, alumni receptions and visits to Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden Palace and DiDi's headquarters.
First-year Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering student Jasmine Stuart said she applied for the scholarship because she shared the same values as Mr Ma.
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"It's great being able to meet other people who share the same passions as me," Ms Stuart said.
"Going to the Alibaba headquarters and getting to meet Mr Ma is such an invaluable experience. The company is doing some amazing things and being able to walk through and see Alibaba first-hand is huge."
First-year combined Bachelor of Arts and Law student Daniel Turner is passionate about social justice and disability issues and was looking forward to seeing how China's economy functions in real time.
"It's interesting to see how China's economy works and see how much my perspective has been formed because of everything I've seen and heard in the media," he said.
"I applied for the scholarship because my values aligned with the Jack Ma Foundation and I'm passionate about workers' rights. I've had my own issues in my own life and I'm a big believer in advocating for others.
"If you have a voice, you have to stand up for others that don't."
UON Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President Global Engagement and Partnerships Kevin Hall said the students were "being exposed to inspiring leaders who are providing solutions to local and global problems, giving thought to culture, equity and ethics".
