Faculty of Technology,Inaugurated at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
On the 10th of January 2022, the Faculty of Technology of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) held its Inauguration Ceremony at the university premises in Ratmalana.
On the invitation of KDU ViceChancellor Major General Milinda Peiris, the 5th Executive President and current Prime Minister, Honorable Mahinda Rajapaksa, graced the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest.
In recent years, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University has emerged as a State University determined to shoulder the national responsibility of spearheading tertiary education in a highly disciplined environment, and it is progressing with confidence in its ability to identify the needs of the nation and design courses of study accordingly.
KDU expanded its scope by welcoming Day Scholars in 2012, and the DayScholar programme has since become a remarkable success. The KDU has ten full-fledged academic faculties that offer degrees that are comparable to those granted by prestigious local and overseas universities.
The Faculty of Technology (FOT) was founded as the 10th Faculty of
KDU with the primary goal of producing graduates with the capabilities needed for the country's development drive. It was planned in accordance with the government's 'National Policy Framework Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour-(2020-2025),' and to address the country's demand for Professional Technologists. Because higher education and training are important predictors of efficiency enhancement, Sri Lanka must improve its population of skilled professionals to shift from agricultural to industry-based economy.
As a result, adequate technological education is critical.
The Faculty of Technology has been established with two academic departments: the Department of Biosystems Technology and the Department of Engineering Technology.
To produce technologists to fill the needs of the industry. The faculty offers three Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree programmes in Biomedical Instrumentation Technology, Construction Technology, and Building Services Technology and one Bachelor of Technology degree programme in Information and Communication Technology that are nationally relevant and directly employable.
Major General Milinda Peiris, ViceChancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, stated in welcoming all distinguished guests, academic and non- academic staff members of KDU, students and parents, that the higher education institutes and those who have been involved in education should take the responsibility to carefully plan programmes and activities with foresight and with an orientation towards national goals and objectives to maximize the return on investment.
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne who is also the Chairman of the KDU Board of Management addressed the gathering soon after the welcome speech by the ViceChancellor.
During his remarks, General Kamal Gunaratne emphasised the importance of harnessing the full potential of KDU for the sake of the country’s students.
The chief guest, Honorable Mahinda Rajapaksa stated in his speech that KDU serves the nation by providing high-quality university education to local students who qualify for university admission but are unable to enrol.
The Honorable Prime Minister stated that. with the addition of new degree programmes of the technology faculty, there will be more prospects to recruit foreign students to the university. Thereby generating foreign income for the country.
Vice- Chancellor Major General Milinda Peiris presented a memento to the Chief Guest to mark the occasion. Dr.Prasanna Premadasa, Dean of the Faculty, delivered the concluding vote of thanks of the ceremony.
Former Air Force Commander Marshal of the Air Force and Governor Western Province Roshan Goonetileke, Education Ministry Secretary Professor Kapila Perera, Navy Commander Vice Admiral NishathaUlugetenne, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Chairman of the University Grants Commission Senior Professor Sampath Amarathunga, Deputy ViceChancellors of KDU, two Rectors of KDU, Deans of Faculties, Directors, military officers and gathering of distinguished invitees were present at the event held adhering to the stipulated healthcare guidelines.