Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), a prestigious state university, is dedicated to providing high-quality education for undergraduates, graduates, and professionals. With over 50 diverse degree programs across its many faculties, KDU offers rich opportunities for learning, engagement, and growth. The university fosters a unique environment that combines research, teaching, and community involvement, emphasizing intellectual, professional, and personal development within an inclusive and diverse setting.
KDU's broader range of degree programs caters to a wide array of interests and aptitudes, distinguishing it from other institutions in Sri Lanka. A vibrant array of clubs and societies further enhances campus life, promoting knowledge acquisition and interpersonal skill development. KDU graduates are widely respected and recognized by employers, and institutions globally for their exceptional qualifications.
KDU welcomes applications from everyone who meets the minimum eligibility criteria for its degree programs. As a non-profit government institution, KDU ensures that course fees remain nominal, making education accessible to the majority of students in Sri Lanka, including those from low-income families. Additionally, the university provides various scholarship schemes to support students who need financial support.
Educational Resources @ KDU
Educational resources at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University are diverse and vast. They range from state-of-the-art libraries, laboratory facilities, and hi-tech computer facilities with top-of-the-line software applications to individual study carrels and dedicated reading spaces conducive to concentrated study. Furthermore, the university boasts a variety of research centres that are amply equipped to support students in their scholarly journey. In addition to this, students have full access to digital learning platforms and databases that supplement the offerings available to them on campus.
- KDU is the only university in Sri Lanka with on-campus licensing for Matlab software
- KDU provides access to the Turnitin platform for all students and staff
This enriched learning environment is a testament to the university's commitment to promoting academic excellence and instilling a deep sense of inquiry among its students. With these resources at student's disposal, they are envisioned to welcome endless possibilities in their educational pursuits and, consequently, their future growth.
Most interestingly, those resources are available for those currently not studying at the university for free. All KDU alumni get to use the library facilities for free for 10 years following their exit from the university. Not only that, on request, alumni get to retain their academic email addresses should they want to use them for academic and research purposes. Moreover, they get the chance to access online journal article repositories such as Medline and IEEE Explorer with their email addresses. Schoolchildren of parents who are serving or have served in the armed forces also get to use the facilities at KDU for free on request. Since most of the postgraduate courses KDU offers are taken by those serving in the armed forces, for them it is not always possible to visit the campus physically due to the nature of their responsibilities. therefore, all the lectures conducted are recorded and made available for them to access online.
Target in 2030
KDU Makes its Facilities and Resources Accessible to All
KDU conducts several annual courses and leadership programs offered to the public. These are provided at both the Ratmalana and Sooriyawewa campuses, and the facilities required for the courses, such as PCs, lecture halls, and resource personnel, are provided by the university. KDU facilities, such as the library network, are available for all KDU alumni with KDU email. On request, such facilities are also made available for schoolchildren. The National Digital Repository Center on Defense Studies (NDRCDS) curated and maintained by KDU includes all types of information sources on Defence, Security and related studies It provides access to valuable records for selected outsiders due to the sensitivity of the information.
