Industrial Technology Institute (ITI)

Background

This case study from the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) Sri Lanka is based on the assistance received from the UNIDO Integrated Industrial Support program for Sri Lanka that was formally launched in September 1999, with a significant financial contribution from the Government of Norway through NORAD. The support was provided via the project component 'Quality, Standardization and Metrology' for upgrading laboratories to international status and "Enhancing the service capabilities of the laboratories" that were earmarked for international accreditation.

Industrial Technology Institute (ITI)

The ITI is a Statutory Board that came into existence on 01st April 1998 by virtue of the Science & Technology Development Act No. 11 of 1994. ITI is the successor to the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (CISIR), which was established in 1955. The ITI is a wholly owned organization of the Sri Lankan Government and functions within the purview of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Institute employs approximately 340 personnel of which, about 50% are Post graduates, Graduates and Technicians. The ITI has the largest and most comprehensive complex of Physical, Chemical, Microbiological and Metrology laboratories in the country with over 900 pieces of laboratory equipment. The Institute operates through a recurrent grant made available annually by the Government and by the income generated through services and projects. The Government also makes available a capital grant annually for purchase of equipment and upgrading facilities. The total budget in 2007 was approximately 2.2Mn Euro. Assistance for enhancing facilities and capabilities are also received through donor-funded programs with support being recently received from the ADB, Japanese Grant Aid and UNIDO. The dependence on Government financing has resulted in inadequate autonomy for control over earnings and timely and effective implementation of programs as the Institute has to adhere to Government circulars and thus operates in a totally bureaucratic environment.

The Institute has been established with the main objective of supporting industry and accelerating industrial technology development. Towards this end, the Institute offers a package of actions that include Testing, Measurement and Calibration services, Research and Development, Consultancy, Development of new technology and transfer and Training of technical personnel. In the area of services, the ITI has over 650 service offerings in all three fields of testing, viz. chemical, mechanical and microbiological as well as calibration services that are offered to a client portfolio of over 2000 with over 10,000 client focused services being provided annually. The Institute's focus areas for research are Food, Materials, Herbal and Environment.