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Barclay Ewart Scholarship Launched

Published:Tuesday | August 18, 2015 | 12:00 AM
Alexander 'Barclay' Ewart

Industrial Chemical Company (ICC), the Spanish Town-based producer of salt for the local and international markets, has launched a tertiary scholarship in honour of the founder of the company, Alexander 'Barclay' Ewart. The scholarship is valued at $330,000 per year over three years and covers full tuition. The first scholarship will be awarded at the start of the 2015-2016 academic year in September.

The three-year Alexander 'Barclay' Ewart Scholarship for chemistry is tenable at the University of the West Indies for one student enrolled in the Faculty of Science and Technology, pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in chemistry.

In making the announcement, chairman of ICC, Peter Melhado, said 'Barclay' Ewart was an exceptional businessman, a pioneer in the manufacturing sector in Jamaica, and one who believed in the abilities of the Jamaican people at all levels of society.

diverse business interests

In 1969, Ewart was responsible for the installation and commissioning of the first and only salt factory in Jamaica at its Spanish Town location and establishing the Freeflo brand, which has become a household name. He had diverse business interests, such as the manufacturing of both domestic and commercial chemical products for the local and overseas markets; establishing and operating a tannery to produce leather products; and operating the local Caterpillar franchise, all under the umbrella Alkali Group of Companies.

Nominees for the scholarship must be Jamaican nationals - ages 18 to 25 - from St Catherine communities, who are pursuing a BSc degree in chemistry at UWI. They should have verifiable financial needs and be involved in community activities. The scholarship recipient will be required to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average throughout the duration of the scholarship.

A panel of judges, comprising representatives of ICC and the University of the West Indies, has been set up to process all applications.

"In addition to the monetary contribution by ICC, the scholarship winner will be included in the summer work programme currently being administered by the UWI Chemistry Department, for placement at ICC," Melhado noted.