Science & Technology Personnel Development Project was started in June 1998. The original Project closing date was 30th June 2003. The closing date of the Project was extended by another 18 months after the Mid Term Review. The revised Project closing date is 31st December 2004.

 Total funds allocated for the project is US $34 million which comprises of US $ 20 million from ADB, US $ 6.5 million from OPEC fund and US $ 7.5 million from the Sri Lankan Government.
 

The original implementation arrangements of the Project covered seven Science & Technology (S&T) institutions namely; universities of Colombo, Moratuwa, Peradeniya, Kelaniya, Sri Jayawardenapura, Ruhuna & Open University of Sri Lanka and five Research & Development (R&D) institutions namely; Arthur C. Clarke Center for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT), Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA), National Engineering Research & Development Center (NERD) and Coconut Research Institute (CRI). Implementation arrangements of the project have been expanded to there new activities namely; University of Jaffna, Eastern University of Sri Lanka and South Eastern University of Sri Lanka from 2002 December onwards.

Project Objectives & Scope

The overall objective of the project is to assist the government to improve personnel development in the Science and Technology (S & T) and Research and Development (R &D) required for efficient implementation of new industrialized strategy which focuses on increasing productivity and improving efficiency of the industry.

    Objectives

1. Upgrading S & T education in terms of expansion of capacity and improvement of quality.
2. Strengthening R & D capacity to help industry to absorb advanced technology.
3. Establish institute-industry partnership through the proactive and productive participation of private industry in S & T programmes as well as attachment of faculty & students in industry practice & training. 

    Scope of the Project

    The over-all objective is to assist the Government in its efforts to increase     the  efficiency and productivity of Sri Lankan industry by

1. Producing scientists / technologists to fulfill the needs of the industrial sector by expanding the capacity and upgrading the quality of Science & Technology education.
2. Take the necessary actions to strengthen the research and development capacity and to absorb advanced technology for the industry.
3. Strengthening Sri Lankan industry to meet the challenges by establishing Institute-Industry Partnership through pro-active and productive participation of the private sector and S&T and R&D Institutions.