Zara Group of Companies, the cyber security body that provides technological support to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is offering four scholarships to the University of Guyana, in collaboration with the Force. The scholarships are for full-time prospective University of Guyana students for either the Turkeyen or Tain branch. Kaieteur News was informed that two of the scholarships will be available to the public and the remaining two will be offered to the immediate family members of ranks of the Guyana Police Force. The scholarship will be for four years and completely covers the tuition fee. Students are required to maintain a high grade point (GPA) of 3.0.

If two or more candidates are eligible, the short listed candidates will be selected by a random draw. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have a minimum of eight subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), proof of acceptance letter from the university, demonstrate the need for financial assistance, and a letter showing that the candidate has completed at least 100 hours of community service. Zara Group of Companies has been contributing to the technological sector within Guyana for several years. They have been supporting the police force in terms of cyber crime fighting. The non- Governmental organization has opened computer centres across Guyana where police ranks and civilians benefit from free training. In 2013, the Zara group established a computer centre at the Richard Faikall Training College at Suddie which caters for the need of ranks in “G” division and residents.

With the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the organization aims to bridge the gap of a community/police partnership. Kaieteur News understands that the computer classes, which were being done in collaboration with the police, have made some communities a more relaxed place, where it is easy for civilians and police ranks to communicate. The Zara group was established about 30 years ago by a Guyanese family residing in the US, and is involved in real estate business. The organization has since collaborated with several institutes including the Central Islamic Organization and the GPF as a means of giving back to the country.

Article adapted from: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2017/08/12/zara-police-offer-ug-scholarship/