New KDU wing to be established in Wayamba on President’s request - Defence Secretary

COLOMBO (News 1st) - ‘The President has made an open request to establish another wing of KDU to serve the population of Wayaba’ revealed the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne gracing the opening ceremony of the new Faculty of Computing of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Southern Campus in Sooriyawewa, on Wednesday (05).

Addressing the gathering at the University Auditorium, the Defence Secretary appreciated the services of the KDU and said, through restructuring of its policies and furthering its reach it has shown a rapid progress whilst expanding its facilities to cater all academic and research requirements of its local and overseas students.

A university should go beyond its capacity of extending knowledge to creating and facilitating opportunities for its students to develop relevant skills, right attitudes with an appropriate mind-set focusing on executing their duties in both local and foreign environments in the future and in such a context, the KDU has always made its decisions on the development of its student-population focusing on enhancing their relevant theoretical and practical knowledge and developing much needed skills whilst inculcating right attitudes and the mentalities, he stressed.

The newly established Faculty of Computing will provide opportunity to students aspiring to pursue higher studies in this field. The new Faculty is equipped with state of the art facilities to provide quality education and training to potential undergrads. The KDU has grown leaps and bounds since its inception and is among the top educational destinations in the country.

Speaking further, Gen. Gunaratne who is also the Chairman of the Board of Management of KDU revealed that KDU is ranked as the 4th in the most prestigious Defence Academies in the World. According to the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, 2022 table, KDU is ranked 2nd in Sri Lanka for Quality of Education and 4th in the overall ranking in the country and in the 801-1000 range globally.

He urged the students to make the best use of the university’s resources, culture and its brilliance towards the enhancement of their academic excellence and life aspirations.

The Defence Secretary attending the opening ceremony as the chief guest was received by the KDU Vice Chancellor Major General Milinda Peiris.

Speaking at the event the Vice Chancellor Major General Milinda Peiris said that the amalgamation of civil students and military cadets for education produces a good combination for the country’s future.

The Vice Chancellor also presented the Defence Secretary a memento as a mark of appreciation which was reciprocated by the Defence Secretary by presenting the university library with a complete set of books authored by him.

During the day’s proceedings Gen. Gunaratne accompanied by the Vice Chancellor and University officials also made an inspection visit of all facilities of the KDU Southern Campus. He took time to speak with the undergrads as well. He also planted a tree to mark his visit to the Southern campus.
 
Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Chief of Staff of Army Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Chief of Staff of Air Force Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Rector of the KDU Southern Campus Maj. Gen. Robin Jayasooriya, Rector of the Metropolitan Campus Maj. Gen. Lal Gunasekara, Ministry officials, members of the university management, academic and non-academic staff, senior military officers, distinguished invitees and a large number of undergraduates were present at the occasion.