KDU to Establish Cutting-Edge City Campus in Pinnawala with Presidential Backing

Pinnawala, Sri Lanka (26 July 2024): A significant milestone was achieved for higher education in Sri Lanka as President Ranil Wickramasinghe visited the proposed site for KDU’s City Campus of Technology in Wagolla Pinnawala today. Accompanied by the Minister of Technology, Hon. Kanaka Herath, and Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, the President was given a comprehensive overview of KDU’s ambitious plans for the new campus.

Upon arrival, the President was warmly welcomed by Ms. Himali Athawudage, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education. Vice Chancellor HGU Dhammika Kumara and  Rector Cmde Ruwan Rupasena.

The visit commenced with a formal inauguration, where students from the Built Environment and Spatial Sciences faculty presented their innovative designs for the building’s renovation. Prof. Prasanna Premadasa, Dean of the Faculty of Technology, outlined the academic programs to be offered, highlighting the campus’s role in delivering world-class higher education.

As Sri Lanka’s leading university according to THE Impact Ranking 2024, KDU is poised to introduce groundbreaking degree programs in Information and Communication Technology with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship. Recognizing the immense potential of technology in agriculture, President Wickramasinghe expressed his support for the inclusion of a Precision Agriculture degree program, emphasizing the need for high-tech and technology-related courses in the region.

Vice Chancellor HGU Dhammika Kumara and Rector Cmde Ruwan Rupasena provided further details about the campus development plans and sought the President’s support for necessary funding. In a positive response, President Wickramasinghe pledged to allocate the required funds in the upcoming budget.

The establishment of the KDU City Campus of Technology in Pinnawala marks a significant step forward in providing accessible and relevant higher education opportunities to the region. With the support of the government and KDU’s commitment to excellence, the campus is set to become a hub for innovation and technological advancement.