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| Sunday, 17 February 2002 |
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ITI's 100-day revolutionary program The Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), successor to the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, that functions within the purview of the Ministry of Economic Reform, Science and Technology has formulated a strategic and timely 100-day revolution program. The ITI given for 'Science and Technology" said in a media release that within the 100-day revolution program priority will be for peace, where the ITI will initiate a water quality-monitoring program with the universities in the North and East to assess the quality of surface and ground water for domestic use that may be contaminated from use of weapons, agrochemicals and poor sanitary conditions. With respect to good governance, the institute is planning to implement a computerised cost management system for budgetary discipline and better control of expenditure that can serve as a pilot model for other government departments and institutions and also formulate and implement an effective staff evaluation system. To assist in the development of the rural economy, training program will be conducted in Matale and Ratnapura on the manufacture of bakery and confectionery products respectively. A dryer using waste heat of flue gas for drying medicinal plants for the Ritigala Ayurvedic drug-processing centre will be fabricated and installed and a sodium silicate plant will be commissioned at Oruthota, Gampaha. With respect to health and nutrition, an iron rich food supplement for pregnant and lactating mothers will be developed. The raw materials for 10 important Ayurvedic preparations will be standardised, a training program on hygiene and sanitation for the catering sector will be conducted and a human food and aqua feed from stabilized rice bran will be formulated. Youth will be given priority by the ITI which will open its doors to schoolchildren, providing awareness of functions and activities through two open days at the end of March and also by formulating a scheme to take S&T to the rural youth on a regular basis. With respect to environmental management five effluent treatment plants for a textile industry, a distillery and three service stations will be commissioned and a waste water recycling plant based on reverse osmosis technology for a leading sewing thread manufacturer will be designed. IN conformity with one of the major objectives of the institute to support industry, the institute will undertake 1,000 testing services in the areas of water, agro and food products, chemicals and materials for maintaining and improving quality of industrial products and processes and provide at least 450 services to industry on calibration and repair of equipment and industrial measurements. The institute will also assist in the commercial production of new glaze formulations for manufacture of new products for the ceramics industry, design, fabricate and install a laboratory fume cupboard for a leading lubricating oil supplier, provide at least two consultancy services and pack house inspection to export-oriented industries for post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables and carry out flue gas analysis for at least five boilers furnaces in industry. The ITI also has a plan of obtaining international recognition by upgrading its chemical and microbiology testing to international status (ISO 17025) by obtaining laboratory accreditation from the Swedish Accrediting Agency. With respect to facilities, the institute is hopeful that the new modern laboratory for chemical residue analysis and pollution control activities can be completed with financial support from the Government and the modernisation of the metrology laboratory with modern facilities with UNIDO assistance can be completed. The IT infrastructure of the institute will continue to grow and the ITI website will be revitalised. For more focused marketing of the institute's services and activities, an effective dialogue with industry associations and chambers will be initiated. The institute will soon release the 50 day progress of the 100-day program, said Dr. Nirmala M. Pieris, Head of the Corporate Services Division of the Institute. |
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