The IAST’s strength and promise is vested within its unique and energetic staff. Versatile, motivated, and very conscious of the pivotal role that they play in the resuscitation of the institute and as ambassadors of science and technology, they have been performing marvellously under conditions that are less than ideal.

Mainly through their efforts, the Institute has begun to acquire a reputation of an aggressive, results-oriented organization, and with that reputation has come increased Government of Guyana funding and increased commercialization of the institute’s projects.

The Institute of Applied Science and Technology is an industrial research organisation, which has as its mandate the development and/or adaptation of appropriate technology for the utilisation of Guyana’s natural resources, so that these resources can be gainfully developed and exploited for the benefit of the people of Guyana. The Institute was formed in 1977.

The Institute of Applied Science and Technology currently has 13 science and technology staff members (this number fluctuates between 13 and 16, depending on whether the institute is at full employment), 6 administrative staff, 14 guards, 2 drivers, 3 cleaners, 1 gardener and 3 general laborers. The very small technical staff complement is distributed among five departments:
1. Analytical Services
2. Food and Feed
3. Biofuels/Alternative Energy
4. Indigenous Materials
5. BioProspecting

Remarkably, this very small technical staff is engaged in an astoundingly wide spectrum of projects, many of which have delivered first-of-its-kind in Guyana processes, products and conventions. A significant number of these projects are at the stage of being ready for commercial activity.