IoPP donates books to Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging

Due to the efforts of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) and the World Packaging Organization (WPO), over 15 packaging technology books from the IoPP bookstore were recently donated to the Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) to help the organization update its packaging library.

In 1983, under the advisement of the International Trade Center, SLIP created a technical division called the National Packaging Center (NPC) to develop packaging research and development, testing facilities, a technical library, and training and education under one roof. But since its inception, the SLIP packaging library has not been significantly updated.

According to Dharmatilake Ratnayake, SLIP president, the Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging made a request to each of the governments that were ruling the country from 1985 to 2005 to upgrade the NPC by either using local funds or funds donated by other countries.

‘Up until now, the “Technical Initiative for the Private Sector” – an American funding organization – was the only organization to make a donation of office equipment and some technical books,’ said Ratnayake.
During a recent meeting of the WPO Training & Education Committee, Ratnayake made a formal request for up-to-date packaging technology books that could be used in the SLIP library. Tom Schneider, IoPP’s Immediate Past Chair, responded to the appeal by presenting SLIP’s request to IoPP. IoPP, with its mission of serving the educational needs of the packaging community, approved the book donation and books were shipped to SLIP in September.

‘IoPP’s executive committee approved the donation because they felt it would begin to build a bridge between IoPP, members of WPO, and countries such as Sri Lanka who can use the Institute’s help in increasing their packaging knowledge.’ explained Schneider. ‘The books donated to SLIP will be used by packaging students and professionals to improve their skills in packaging design and development.’