Industrial Technology Institute- Sri Lanka - Industrial Technology Institute- Sri Lanka

symposium2021

5^thBiennial Research Symposium 2021

Positioning Science, Technology & Research for new normal Industrial Challenges

The 5^th Biennial Research Symposium of the Industrial Technology Institute was successfully held from 10^th – 12^th November along with the World Science Day. The inauguration was held on the 10^th of November at Shangri-La Colombo. The message from the Chief Guest, H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Hon. Minister of Technology was delivered by Hon. Namal Rajapaksa Minister of Youth & Sports, Minister of Development Co-ordination & Monitoring and State Minister of Digital Technology & Enterprise Development. Hon. Namal Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Hon. Prof. Tissa Vitarana, Member of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Trade, Mr Jayantha de Silva, Secretary of the Ministry of Technology and State Ministry of Digital Technology & Enterprise Development were invited as special guests of the event.

The Special Guest, H.E. Dr. Akhtar Nazir, Executive Director of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) and Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan joined the inauguration virtually and briefed on the COMSATS activities and their collaborations with Sri Lanka.

Hon. Prof. Tissa Vitarana delivered the keynote address under the symposium theme, Positioning Science, Technology and Research for New Normal Industrial Challenges emphasizing the need for rapid industrial development to overcome the challenges of the current economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. Prof. Tissa Vitarana also highlighted how Science & Technology Institutes including ITI could assist the industry with technology and innovations.

The outstanding performances of ITI Scientists, Engineers and Technologists were felicitated at this event with awards and certificates.

The event was also live-streamed on the Institute’s social media and only a limited number of invitees participated in person following the health guidelines of the country due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

To share and disseminate the research outputs of ITI Scientists, Engineers and Technologists, a two-day technical session was held at the ITI Auditorium while the participants joined virtually. Two plenary lectures by Mr. Suresh de Mel, Chairman and Chief Executive, Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Emeritus Prof. Athula Perera along with 44 technical papers were presented during the technical sessions.

To build up a national-level dialogue on Entrepreneurship Development, targeting Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs), a post-symposium workshop on “Entrepreneurship Development in New Normal: Challenges and Way Forward” was held on 15^th November 2021 at the ITI. More than 60 international and local participants joined the workshop via a virtual platform. Renowned speakers from Sri Lanka and India shared their knowledge and experience on different aspects of Entrepreneurship Development, challenges, prospects, opportunities and policy insights.

Proceedings of 5^th Biennial Research Symposium – 2021