UNIDO SPONSORED STUDY TOUR FOR QUALITY MANAGERS AND MICROBIOLOGISTS FROM PAKISTAN
Posted on 2013.04.21
In an effort to promote the transition towards sustainable economic development in developing and transition countries by improving the Quality infrastructure and laboratory quality management of businesses and other organizations, the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) of Sri Lanka conducted a ten days study tour for the Quality Managers and Microbiologists from Pakistan under the sponsorship of Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Programme of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Pakistan. The programme specifically focused on providing hands on experience on implementation of laboratory quality management system in conformity to ISO 17025:2005 standard for testing laboratories.
The training programme, which was held on from 18th March to 29th March 2013 provided the participants much needed exposure by interacting with the ITI scientists and laboratory staff who have strived to achieve International Accreditation status for their laboratories since 2002. The study tour was planned on the advice of the UNIDO International Expert on Laboratory Accreditation, Dr. Upali Samarajeewa who strongly believes that such an exposure visit will be immensely helpful to Pakistan scientists to achieve significant strides through the implementation of ISO 17025 laboratory quality management system in their organization. ITI had been closely associated with training Pakistan Scientists in the field of Laboratory Accreditation since 2005 and this is the fifth group to benefit from the experience of ITI along with several other groups of scientists from Vietnam, Nigeria, West Africa and Laos (through UNIDO) and Maldives. The need to strengthen the country’s testing capabilities in the areas of chemical, microbiological and calibration, with such exposure visits to laboratories, which have already achieved the required international levels, has been stressed previously.
Dr. Ali Abbas Qazilbash, Programme Officer, Laboratory Accreditation & SPS Compliance, Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Programme, UNIDO, Pakistan, facilitated the initiation of the programme.
In the welcome address of Dr.G.A.S.Premakumara, Director of the ITI drew the participants’ attention to the overall objective of the programme of implementation of ISO 17025 at their laboratories and the long term friendship between the two countries.
Project coordinator, UNIDO Integrated Industrial Development Project of Sri Lanka, Mr. Sarath Abeysundara, addressing the opening ceremony stressed the importance of scientific institutions partnerships in supporting the development of the countries in the region and the role of UNIDO intervention in such endeavors. In his message, he also mentioned the support given to the ITI for the establishment of accreditation at its laboratories and that now ITI has become a model institute and training facility to carry forward the programme in other countries.
Seven participants attended the programme and the group was composed of 3 quality mangers and 4 microbiologist form Pakistan government institutions. Dr. Upali Samarajeewa and Ms. Subadra Jayasinghe, UNIDO International experts for implementation of laboratory accreditation in Pakistan were also present at the opening ceremony and provided much needed guidance to make this venture a succes.
Industrial Technology Institute Gets a New Director
Posted on 2013.01.16
Dr. Sirimal Premakumara Galbada Arachchige, a senior research scientist at Industrial Technology Institute has been appointed as the new Director/CEO of this premier research institute formerly known as Ceylon Institute of Scientific & Industrial Research (CISIR). This appointment was made by Hon. Minister Ms.Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Technology & Research on the recommendation of a panel chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology & Research Ms.Dhara Wijayatillake.
Dr. Premakumara is known nationally and internationally for his research work in biologically active natural products, molecular medicine and drug research. Dr.Premakumara’s extensive research has brought a lot of fame to his Institute in the recent past especially due to his breakthrough KASPER technology for kithul sector and the research conducted on medicinal properties of Kothalahimbutu, Binkohomba, Cinnamon and indigenous rice varieties.
Dr.Premakumara received his early education from Royal College, Colombo and graduated from University of Colombo. He holds a PhD in Chemical Biology and Post‐doctoral training in Nutrition Biochemistry & Biotechnology. He received his multidisciplinary training working in various international laboratories such as International Center for Chemical & Biological Science of University of Karachi, Marine Science Centre of University of Putra Malaysia, National Food Research Institute of Japan and Proctor Maple Research Institute of University of Vermont USA.
He is a recipient of many higher fellowships including prestigious JSPS invitation fellowship from Japanese government. He is also a recipient of many awards for his academic and research excellence which includes Presidential award, National S&T award, Prof. Chandrasena Memorial Award from Institute of Chemistry and Talented Scientist Award from University of Tirupathi, India. He has over 20 years experience in managing R&D laboratories, S&T personnel and R&D projects received from various agencies. He also has established research collaborations with various prestigious institutes over the globe including University of Texas at Arlington & University of Arkansas in USA, National Food Research Institute and National Institute for Animal Health in Japan and HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry and Dr.Pajwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research in Pakistan. He has over 150 research publications and several patents emanated from his research work and had supervised over 20 MScs and 7 PhDs as a contribution to the capacity building for science & technology developments in the country. He is also a member of various national & international undergraduate and postgraduate examination boards and reviewer of national and international scientific journals, books and monographs. He is also a member of editorial board of International Journal of Herbal Medicine & Technology. He has held various positions in learned scientific bodies in the country and was the President of Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka in the year 2010. Presently he is the Chair of Ethical Review Committee of Institute of Biology. He is a member of various national committees and boards including National Research Council and National Committee on Women, two appointments made by HE the President.
His vast experience in multidisciplinary research and capabilities in S&T arena will undoubtedly help to bring vibrant research and development activities for rapid industrial development, a long held expectation from this premier R&D institute.
Great Achievement of Electro Technology Laboratory Team
Posted on 2013.01.15
The Sahasak Numaum Exhibition was organized by Sri Lanka Inventors Commission first time, was held at BMICH on 30th September 1st and 2nd October 2012. The applications were invited from several categories such as schools, universities, technical collages and as open. In the open category the ETL team submitted two applications, one for the Low cost year screener and for the Automated street lamp system under the sub categories of Category M :”Medicine –
Surgery – Orthopedics – Material for the Handicapped” and Category C: “Computer Science – Software – Electronics – Electricity –Methods of Communication” respectively. The exhibited items were evaluated by an experienced evaluation panels during the exhibition.
We are proud to announce that the items exhibited from Electro Technology Laboratory scientists had won the first place in the category M and second place in category C. Further Brandix had identified seven nationally important areas and offered trophy and cash prizes. The Automated street lamp system had won Brandix award as an Energy Conservation invention for the nation.
In addition to above the ETL scientists had won the John Keels award (a trophy and a cash price) for the energy saving innovation for the Automated Street lamps system.
Recent Press Coverage on ITI
Posted on 2011.04.05
- Radio Frequency Controlled Street Light Management:Turning those lights on as the DJ’s speak. A team at the ITI has taken on the challenge -
Sunday Island (21/07/2012) - Street Lamp Management System Developed – Daily News (14/07/2012)
- Minimizing Electrical Waste on the Street – Daily Mirror (22/08/2012)
- ITI Automates Street Lamps – Sunday Observer (15/07/2012)
- Getting Innovative with Street Lighting – Business Today (08/08/2012)
- Perfecting a cheaper, automated water discharge system in male toilets – Sunday Times (24/04/2011)
- Noise pollution – another menace in the making – Sunday Observer (24/04/2011)
- High-pitched music could damage ears – Daily Mirror (10/02/2011)
- Intellectual Property laws for everyone’s benefit – Daily News (11/02/2011)
- Now an effective non-toxic wood preservative from Sri Lanka’s premier scientific research agency – Sunday Times(27/02/2011)
- ITI’s ETL awarded ISO 17025 certification – Sunday Observer (13/03/2011)
- Modern clay pots for cooking – Sunday Times (20/03/2011)
- Unique clay-based cookware from the ITI soon in the market – Sunday Times (27/03/2011)
- Portable music can cause hearing loss – The Island (09/02/11)
- Excessive noise bad for health – Daily News (09/02/11)
- “Polkudu” treatment for heart ailments – Sunday Times (06/02/2011)
- ITI scientist breaks “bitter” lime barrier – Sunday Times (16/01/2011)
- SL becoming known for its cost effective lab services – Sunday Times (12/09/2010)
- Vides rasayanagara tattwa kalamanakaruwanta puhunu wedasatahanak – Dinamina (14/09/2010)
- Red clay based cookware replaces traditional utensils – Daily News (16/09/2010)
- From the E Daily of the International Food Technologists Annual Meeting and Food Expo 2010
