Page 8 - QUALITY Magazine (Volume 03 - Issue I)

General Sir John Kotelawala

Defence University

About KDU

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was initially established as General Sir John Kotelawala
Defence Academy by the Parliamentary Act No. 68 of 1981. The Academy was elevated to university status
by the Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy (Amendment) Act No. 27 of 1988, and it was renamed as
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University on 11 October 2007. Degrees awarded by the University
are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in Sri Lanka, and the University is also a member
of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (United Kingdom) and the International Association of
Universities (IAU).
The University is situated in Ratmalana on a 48-acre plot of land that was formerly the residence of the
late General Sir John Kotelawala, Sri Lanka’s third prime minister. This stunning estate is enhanced by a
magnificent lake, its natural surroundings, and a variety of rare and unusual species of fauna and flora that
have been meticulously maintained to preserve the antiquity of the premises.
Throughout its 41-year history, KDU has made every effort to meet the needs of the services, producing
more than 3500 graduates for the Tri-services of Sri Lanka. This is because the university’s primary objective
is to produce highly qualified graduates for the Tri-services in Sri Lanka. Additionally, KDU has improved the
overall quality of higher education for Service personnel as a result of its association with other regional
military training institutes, which has also boosted the number of graduates it produces each year.
KDU has just started offering degree programmes for Day Scholars on a fee-levying basis, giving many
deserving young people in Sri Lanka the chance to pursue a university education of the highest quality.
By doing this, KDU aims to create a learning atmosphere where both Day-Scholars and Officer Cadets can
benefit. Whereas Day-Scholars are given the chance to learn in a disciplined atmosphere and establish
themselves as highly acceptable in modern society. Together with Officer Cadets, Day Scholars have the
chance to participate in extracurricular activities including athletics, club activities, field study programmes,
etc., giving them the chance to hone their leadership and soft skills and gain a competitive edge in the job
market.
With the opening of KDU degree programmes for Day-Scholars in 2010, KDU also commenced attracting
foreign students for its degree programmes from SAARC and other friendly countries on fee-levying basis.
It has currently enrolled nearly two hundred and sixty foreign students in its degree programmes and
the increase in numbers is an indication of the recognition KDU has earned internationally for its degree
programmes. Further, this venture has enabled KDU to contribute to the national economy by earning a
considerable amount of foreign exchange through its high quality degree programmes in all disciplines.