First time in history, KDU is to host 26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 2023

With the invitation received to co-chair the 25^th ARF with the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM), KDU gets the opportunity to host the 26^th ARF in 2023.   

HDUCIM is a track one activity under the ambit of ARF. This meeting provides the opportunity for senior leadership of defense universities, colleges and institutions from the ARF participating countries to discuss regional security issues and ways to conduct research and educational exchanges and contribute to the promotion of trust within the region. The meeting also allows the members to share their experiences on security education and research as well as other relevant areas of international security in order to enhance mutual understanding and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

In a Bilateral meeting held on 26^th October 2021 between KDU and the National Defence University of Malayasia (NDUM) to discuss the possibility of KDU becoming the co-host in 2022. NDUM has invited KDU to be the co-host.

Delivering his speech, the Vice Chancellor of KDU thanked his counterpart for inviting KDU to be the co-host. He highlighted that, KDU never hosted the HDUCIM though it has been an ARF member from the beginning. He went on to state that with the opportunity given as the co-host, KDU will be able to host the event in 2023 for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Vice Chancellor of NDUM- Lt Gen Dato’ Hasagaya bin Abdullah, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic)- Prof. Dato’ Ts. Dr. Ahmad Mujahid bin Ahmad Zaidi and Assistant Vice Chancellor – Services, Industry Relations & Corporate Affairs -Dato’ Dr. Junaidah Binti Kamarruddin joined the meeting from NDUM.

DVC (Defence & Admin), DVC (Academic), Dean- Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, Dean- Research & Development, Director- International Relations and HOD- Department of Strategic Studies joined the meeting from KDU.