Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the Active Citizens Programme

Active Citizens Programme is a global programme with partners in over 77 countries. It promotes intercultural-dialogue, citizenship education, the role of youth in leadership and social development. Further, it aims at promoting the community cohesion and improvement through civic engagement, and the students will be able to become a part of a global network of resourceful and effective Active Citizens by engaging in Active Citizens programme.

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) has been successful in becoming a part of the three Sri-Lankan universities selected for the UNICYCLE grant offered by the British Council in year 2022.  University of Jaffna and Uwa Wellassa University are the two other selected universities. The three local universities have collaboratively worked together with the Glasgow Caledonian University which is the partner university in the United Kingdom.

Ms.Wasana Sudusinghe is coordinating the project representing the Department of Languages of KDU and five academic members from the Department of Languages namely Major Wimansha Abeyawickrama (Head of the Department of Languages), Ms. Nalinika Rajapakse, Ms. Esala Malawathanthri, Ms. Ganga Herath and Ms. Wasana Sudusinghe were trained as Active Citizens Facilitators. They have successfully trained more than 150 students representing the two-degree programmes BA in TESOL and BSc in ADSC from the Department of Languages as Active Citizens.

The Active Citizens of KDU have successfully completed 16 social action projects catering to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the Active Citizens programme was held on 13^th of September 2023 at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, KDU. It was organized to award certificates for the dedicated and enthusiastic Active Citizens of KDU who have successfully completed their social action projects.

Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS) the Vice Chancellor of KDU was the chief guest of the event.

Dr. Kishu Gomes an eminent corporate leader renowned for his exceptional achievements in managing both multinational and local conglomerates graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor.

Further, Brigadier DCA Wickramasinghe, USP USACGSC the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Administration). Professor Sanath Dhammika, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics); Mr. Kithsiri Amaratunga, the former Dean Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities; Dr. Lakshika Liyanage the Dean Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities; Deans of the other faculties, Directors; and Heads of Departments of KDU were among the distinguished gathering.

The occasion was also graced by Ms. Thushara Gunasekara, the Manager Society; British Council and  Dr. Bimali Indrarathne, lecturer from the University of York, United Kingdom; Dr.Charith Silva , lecturer from the University of Salford, United Kingdom.

Active Citizens Programme will be a golden opportunity for the youth to become empowered and actively engage in the development of their communities. This will inspire the students to become future leaders with high degree of social responsibility.