THE Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), a multidisciplinary research and development institution (RDI) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) celebrated its 115 years on July 1, with the theme “Noon, Ngayon, Bukas”.
From its humble beginnings in 1901, it has grown into a globally competitive institution providing research and development (R&D) and technical services to micro, small and medium scale (MSMEs) industries, government, private sector and academe.
“It gives me honor to lead a highly motivated and innovative institution like ITDI. Since its founding in 1901, it continues to thrive and has been ably pushing forward science and technology to where it is now. It is because we believe in our resources’ capability—our employees, scientists, technical experts backed up with state-of-the-art facilities that enable us to strengthen and sustain our business and services,” ITDI Director Dr. Maria Patricia V. Azanza said.
Besides developing technologies (e.g., food product prototypes from local resources, emergency/relief foods, “tryk ni Juan”), ITDI has also established a number of laboratory testing facilities that now cater to the various needs of its clientele, giving results that are reliable and conforming to industry and international standards. These are being managed by experts in the field.
Among these facilities are the biological testing laboratories (doing bioassay or tests); metrology in chemistry (MiC, e.g., analysis of trace metals); nano technology lab for material science; packaging lab, for packaging design and development; advanced device and materials testing laboratory doing failure analysis; national metrology lab for measurements and calibration, a lab accredited by the Federal Republic of Germany, Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle to perform calibrations in the field of mass, temperature, pressure and electricity;
And the newly established DOST-ITDI Food Innovation Center (FIC) Main that develops various food products from local resources using DOST-developed food-processing machines and provides product-development services through training to local food processors nationwide.
Now at 115, it can be said steering the wheels to ITDI’s successes are its employees, whose different fields of expertise make for a powerful and creative tool in developing, and producing relevant and useful technologies for every Juan. Through the years, ITDI has become one of DOST’s critical partners in achieving improved productivity for our local industries. As Science Secretary Mario Montejo has said, “we were able to make Filipino technology work.”
On July 1 the celebration focused on the launching of “Tryk ni Juan,” a field-testing activity, where abaca fiber-reinforced composite tricycle driver’s roofs were distributed to 15 beneficiaries of ITDI’s partner tricycle owners and drivers association.
After the launching ceremony, a seminar on abaca fiber composite, and a stakeholder’s forum on Industrial Green Composite Applications were held at the DOST Compound, Bicutan, Taguig City.
The anniversary celebration continues on July 4 at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) where Dr. Cielito Habito (former National Economic and Development Authority director-general) will deliver a talk. It will also be a sort of reunion with former ITDI directors, sharing of experiences and recollecting past achievements that made big waves for the institute.