Scholarships shaping medical futures
When Mannu Kala stepped off a plane on the Gold Coast years ago, he carried little more than determination, hopes and dreams.
The brightest young people who dream of becoming doctors deserve a fair chance, regardless of where they come from
Mannu Kala
Having studied to be a physiotherapist in his home country of India, Mannu had often considered going on to train as a doctor. Financial barriers challenged that dream, but Mannu refused to let circumstance define his future. He pivoted, built a career in healthcare innovation, and today leads a medtech enterprise employing thousands across Australia.
Now, Mannu is giving others the chance he never had. Through the Mannu Kala Foundation, he has committed more than $350,000 to create life-changing scholarships for Griffith University medical students. The scholarships will cover annual tuition fees for several final year Doctor of Medicine (MD) students, as well as supporting a number of commencing MD students for the duration of their four-year degree. Over its lifetime, the gift will support a total of nine medical students.
For Mannu, this is about more than philanthropy. It’s about removing barriers for talented students who might otherwise miss their calling. He knows firsthand the weight of financial pressure and the doors that open when opportunity meets ambition.
The scholarships will help shape the next generation of medical professionals, people who will care for communities, lead innovation and tackle tomorrow’s health challenges. They will make it possible for students with passion and talent to pursue medicine without the burden of financial strain.
Mannu’s journey from student to entrepreneur demonstrates the value of resilience. His generosity will ensure others can follow their own path to medicine, creating a ripple effect that will transform lives far beyond the lecture theatre. For every student supported, countless patients will benefit, and Queensland’s healthcare future will be stronger because of Mannu’s drive to give back.
More than $100 million of philanthropy has already been secured to create a brighter future for all.
Read more impact stories
Advancing outcomes for autistic children
As young parents, Elga and David Dyer had no idea what to expect with a newborn. Their journey to diagnosis and their lived experience with autism led to the development of a scholarship committed to training the next generation of autism researchers.
Trialling a groundbreaking Strep A vaccine
A life-saving vaccine is one step closer with scientists at Griffith leading an international partnership to create a Strep A vaccine that effective against the bacteria’s many strains and its resistance to immunity, with human clinical trials underway.
Renewed hope for schizophrenia sufferers
This innovative research is paving the way for a better future for schizophrenia sufferers, developing potential new drugs and treatments using patient-derived stem cells, thanks to a donation from a private donor.