After completing the studies on Printing Technology at London College of Printing (UK) in 1974 I rendered my services in the USA for a long period of time. I was then appointed the Vice Chairman of INGRIN Institute of Printing & Graphics which was established in 1997, to bridge the skills mismatch by offering training programs to impart knowledge on new technological developments to Sri Lanka’s printing, packaging and advertising industries. The main strength of the Institute was the technical support received from The INGRIN Foundation of the Netherlands.
During the first year of operation, the Institute conducted only 11 training courses with the participation of only 165 candidates. The Institute maintained an impressive track has record by increasing the number of courses as well as the number of candidates who participated in the courses over the years.
The number of candidates trained by the Institute has been increased from 165 in 1998 to 1259 by 2006. The note worthy feature is that in addition to increasing the number of candidates, the Institute introduced a large number of new courses to prepare personnel in the printing industry to meet the challenges of the rapid technological changes and developments in the global market. The Institute, which offered only 11 courses in 1998, now offers 21 regular training courses.
The Institute has been operating as a non-profit service oriented organization since its inception. It charged very nominal course fees with a view to encouraging better participation from small scale printing establishments and unemployed youth interested in pursuing careers in the printing industry.
Extending training facilities to other countries in the region we have been able to provide training to a number of overseas students in the year 2005, and a few more students have confirmed their enrollment and hope to arrive in Sri Lanka by the end of this year.
As we have been able to start Higher Diploma courses jointly with the National Institute Of Business Management, the students who seek to upgrade their knowledge will now have a chance to acquire that through these courses and will be able to enter Foreign Universities to follow degree programs.
Furthermore we have been able to award a large number of scholarships to students who were unable to afford fee levying courses, with the support of Printers, Suppliers of Printing Material and well wishers who have been lending a helping hand throughout the past 10 years.
I The intention of our Organization is to expand the services of this nature to other main cities such as Kandy and Kurunegala before the end of 2008.
