General Sir John Kotelawela Defence University offers
range of degree programs:
Bright prospects for defence students
The General Sir John Kotelawela Defence
University (KDU), which is the only Defence University in the country,
offers many degree programs to suit Science, Arts and Commerce students.
Students who qualify for university admission at the GCE (A/L)
examination in Biological Science stream can enter for Medical (MBBS)
and Management and Technical Studies (MTS) Degrees. Students from
Mathematics stream are qualified to enter for Engineering degrees
including B.Sc. in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics and
Marine fields. The B.Sc. degree in Logistic Management is open for
students from Arts stream while students from Commerce stream can enter
for B.Sc. in Social Studies. Students from all streams could enter for
the Law (LLB) degree program. The degrees in Law, Logistic Management
and Social Studies are new degrees introduced this year. All the
graduates will be absorbed by the Armed Forces after successful
completion of the degree program. The purpose of this article is to give
an insight to the versatile degree programs offered by this unique
Defence University in Sri Lanka
Prof. Ranjith B. Mapa
The General Sir John Kotelawela Defence University (KDU) was
established as an Academy in 1981 and elevated to University status in
1986. It is situated in a 48 acre block of land at Kandawala estate,
Ratmalana, 12 km from Colombo. More than 1,600 undergraduate and 140
postgraduate degrees have been awarded by KDU during the past 28 years.
It offers nine undergraduate degree programs related to Defence
Studies as well as postgraduate degrees. Among them, five degree
programs lead to Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Engineering, namely
Mechanical, Marine, Electrical and Electronic, Civil and Aeronautical
Engineering. The Medical stream (MBBS) was initiated last year and three
new degree programs namely Law (LLB), B.Sc. in Logistic Management and
B.Sc. in Social Studies will be introduced this year.
The Post Graduate Degree program offers Master of Science, (Defence
Studies) in Management for middle and senior level Service and Police
officers. While the cadets (undergraduates) following engineering
degrees study at KDU for three consecutive years and spend six to 12
months in their respective academies, the others spend two years at KDU
and one year in their respective military academies.
In 1996, KDA obtained membership of the Association of Commonwealth
Universities (UK) by maintaining necessary standards required for
educating and grooming officer cadets to meet the challenges of modern
defence management. At the time of admission, cadets have the option to
select their preference to the three Armed Forces, Army, Navy or Air
Force for their future career.
Foreign cadets from SARRC countries possessing equivalent
qualifications also get an opportunity to enter the KDU applying through
the Foreign Ministry and respective High Commissions of Sri Lanka.
Eligibility test
Each SAARC country is offered with two vacancies and by now 25 such
students graduated from Bangladesh, the Maldives and Nepal Citizens of
Sri Lanka, men and women between ages of 18 to 22 are admitted to KDU
according to the eligibility criteria for university admission laid down
by the Commissioner General of Examination and fulfilling the
requirements of at least an ‘S’ grade for all three approved subjects in
GCE (A/L) examination, a pass in the common eligibility test for
University admission and a minimum of a Credit Pass in English at the
G.C.E (O/L) examination.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa at last year’s convocation ceremony |
The uniqueness of this university is that it offers degree programs
for students following all streams at the GCE (A/L) examination.
Students following Biological Sciences, Mathematics, Arts or Commerce
streams could apply for relevant degree programs according to their
background. In addition, they should possess minimum physical standards
in height, weight and chest, and show the required levels of physical
and mental stamina. The entry requirements and other details are
advertised in national newspapers, gazette as well as appear in the KDU
web site www.kdu.ac.lk. A new batch of cadets is normally enlisted to
KDU during October each year and applications are called in March.
The closing date for applications this year is April 9, 2010. During
the initial four months cadets undergo an intensive course in English
and a military orientation phase. They are provided with free uniforms,
spacious housing and food in addition to a considerable living allowance
during the undergraduate time. In 2009 (intake 27) 195 cadets were
enlisted, which was the highest number admitted as a single batch during
the history of KDU.
The management and administration of KDU is vested with the Board of
Management (BOM) appointed by the President. The BOM consist of the
Chairman-Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order,
the Additional Secretary of the same ministry, Chief of Defence Staff,
Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Director General
(Department of Budget, General Treasury), Commanders of the Tri Services
of Sri Lanka, Army, Navy and Air Force. Vice Chancellor/Commandant of
the University and the Registrar as the Secretary to the Board.
The Chancellor of the University is appointed by the President and
presides over convocations of the University where the tenure of service
lasts for a period of five years.
Faculties of Studies
The academic program of the University is carried out under the
guidance of the Director of Academic Studies (DAS) who is at the level
of a Professor, with the assistance of eight Academic Departments
offering degree programs which were named in the introduction of this
article. These are conducted using the services of a team of qualified
academics consisting of both internal and visiting staff. At present
there are 25 internal academic staff members and KDU obtain the services
of many visiting lecturers and Professors from Universities including
Moratuwa University which is in close vicinity. In addition, some
lectures are conducted by qualified service officers from the
tri-services. For the smooth functioning of the degree programs, KDU
obtain the services of Consultants and Course Coordinators.
The Advisory Committees, Board of Examiners and Board of Studies are
formed to assist in collective decision-making.
The degree program consists of two semesters of 21 weeks per year for
three years whereas two years are spent at KDU and the balance time at
their respective military academies. Approximately 75 percent of
students contact hours is allocated for academic program while 25
percent is used for Defence Studies consisting of various military
training activities.
The Faculty of Defence studies is headed by Commanding Officer (CO)
assisted by Squadron Commanders in charge of each intake and Troop
Commanders supervising each troop.
The cadets at KDU are subjected to military training whilst carrying
out their academic program. The military training is designed and
planned to educate, train and inspire cadets for an exemplary career as
Commissioned officers of the three Services. The course curriculum in
Defence Studies includes Weapon Training, Map Reading, Leadership
Studies, Elementary lessons in Field Crafts etc.
In addition to a handsome living allowance, food, housing, uniforms
and batman facilities, KDU offers the cadets many facilities similar to
by other Universities in the country. Spacious lecture rooms,
auditoriums, laboratory complexes and engineering workshops support in
developing practical skills of cadets.
Facilities
In addition, two language laboratories, a library and an IT centre
facilitate their learning. KDU also provides the Cadets with sport
facilities with a well-equipped gymnasium and a swimming pool for them
to compete in different tournaments.
Students at the language laboratory |
The extra curricular activities are supported by formation of various
clubs like E-club, Photography club, Rowing club, Music and Dancing
Club, Eco club etc.
University Crest and Anthem
The crest of KDU which is shown at the top of this article has a
symbolic composition. It consist of the emblem of the Republic of Sri
Lanka showing the loyalty to the country, the crosses of swords symbolic
to the Sri Lanka Army, the Anchor and Wings which are symbolic to Sri
Lanka Navy and Air Force, and the Torch symbolic to education.
The motto in the embalm reads ‘For The Motherland Forever’. The KDU
has its own anthem written by Dr S. H. Nissanka and music composed by Dr
Premasiri Kemadasa.
The plans are underway to restructure KDU to a full fledge University
in par with other universities in the country consisting of many
Faculties. Plans are underway to initially establish four faculties
consisting of a Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of
Social Sciences, Humanities and Law and a Faculty of Defence Studies.
These will be managed by Deans and administered by Assistant Registrars.
Qualified staff at the level of Professors, Associate Professors, Senior
Lecturers and Lecturers will be recruited to offer degree programs of
international standards. The buildings for the Faculty of Medicine will
be constructed soon at Ratmalana and a hospital in the vicinity will be
developed as a teaching hospital.
For more information on admission requirements for Sir General John
Kotelawala Defence University, visit our website www.kdu.ac.lk or call
Director of Academic Studies at 011-2635201.
The writer is Director, Academic Studies, General Sir John
Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana
[ General Sir John Kotelawela Defence University ]
* Established as an Academy in 1981
* University status in 1986
* In 1996, KDA obtained membership of Association of Commonwealth
Universities (UK) |