Massey University New Zealand signs a MOU with KDU for Academic and Research Collaboration

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) entered into a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one of the leading universities in the world, Massey University of New Zealand. Which was established in 1927. Since then it has grown to become New Zealand’s largest residential university, spread over three cities and is ranked 267th in QS world University ranking and it claims for the 60th position in the world impact ranking.

The Vice Chancellor of KDU and his counterpart from Massey, Prof. Jan Thomas, signed the MOU this morning in a ceremony organized as a hybrid event in the presence of His Excellency the High Commissioner of New Zealand in Sri Lanka Mr. Michael Edward Appleton and The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for New Zealand H.E. Mr. Senarath Dissanayake.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice Chancellor of KDU, Major General Milinda Peiris recalled the visit of former Vice Chancellor of Massey, Hon Steve Maharey to take part in KDU International Research Conference in 2012, which has led to the signing of initial MOU with Massey University in 2012.

Prof. Jan Thomas commented on the areas both institutes could collaborate in the future. She has highlighted the similarities of both the countries with common heritage as commonwealth nations. She has commended the Vice Chancellor of KDU for his invitation to visit Sri Lanka and praised Sri Lankan students who are already studying in Massey. She has also delivered remarks, underscoring her firm commitment to further expansion of relations.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jan Thomas, Head of School of People, Environment and Planning, Prof Glenn Banks, Director of the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Prof Rouben Azizian, Deputy Director (Teaching), Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Dr Raj Prasanna, Deputy Head of the School of Food and Advanced Technology (SFAT), Prof Gourab Sen Gupta, Associate Dean – International, College of Sciences, Prof. Claire Massey, Executive Director, Global Engagement, Mr. Christopher Carey, Manager Global Engagement (International Relations and Articulations, Djhoanna Lambert joined the event virtually from New Zealand.