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REFORMING AND MODERNIZING DEFENCE UNIVERSITIES
CASE OF GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY (KDU)
SRI LANKA
INTRODUCTION
1.
The end of a thirty year long war in Sri Lanka in May last year brought a paradigm shift in
the strategic and security scenario of the country. Sri Lanka’s security situation changed from
conflict to peace with the total defeat of the terrorism in the country. One of the major challenges
emerged in the new post conflict era is to integrate the armed forces with the focus on economic
development of the country whilst maintaining sizable national security to safeguard the established
peace in the country. The government has already tasked the armed forces on development work
and rehabilitation of conflict areas which are gathering momentum with the end of the conflict. The
major challenges for the military is to engage in reconciliation and reconstruction work including
demining in the North and East and ensure normalcy. General Sir John Kotelawala Defence
University (KDU) is with the view that a total revamp of the academic and professional culture
needed to be matched with the paradigm shift from war to peace.
2.
KDU as the one and only defence university in Sri Lanka and produces a substantial quota
of young officers to the Sri Lankan armed forces, thereby KDU holds a greater responsibility in the
overall performances of the armed forces. At this juncture, KDU has identified the need of
reforming and modernizing its programmes. KDU is presently exploring the possibilities of
becoming a stake holder in the government efforts with respect to national security and
development. With the changing scenario, the defence university intends to upgrade the
undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in line with the future challenges.
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BACKGROUND
3.
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University was established by a parliament act in
1981. It is governed by a Board of Management headed by the Secretary of Defence while Chief of
Defence Staff (CDS), three service chiefs (i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force) Vice Chancellor of
KDU, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the representative of treasury are
the members. KDU has been fully recognized by the University Grants Commission in Sri Lanka as
a degree awarding university. It is also recognized by the Association of Commonwealth
Universities (UK). Some South Asian Regional countries have been sending cadets to KDU to read
for degrees for last two decades. The academic and military training offered by this university is
unique. Even though officer cadets of KDU study a variety of subjects relevant to their academic
disciplines, it is compulsory for them to complete the military component of their degree
programme, which includes physical training, drill and several military subjects. Participation in
extracurricular activities is also compulsory for officer cadets. The university has adopted a holistic
and multi-disciplinary approach to accomplish its vision, mission and objectives. KDU has been
conducting degree courses on Engineering, Management & Technical Sciences (MTS) and on
Humanities, Majority are reading for degrees in humanities and MTS as the demand was high for
non technical officers. The tri-services often demand MTS and non technical young officers for
fighting formations and units. Changes to degree programmes were not felt seriously mainly due to
the fact that operational commitments overruled any other matter if the country during the last two
decades. KDU has produced over 1800 officers for the Sri Lankan armed forces and they have
immensely contributed to 30 year long war efforts. The KDU graduates have excelled in the fields
of Military / Civil Engineering, Electronic Warfare and above all they were good Infantry soldiers
who fought in the front lines of the battle field. Their decision making as military leaders have
contributed immensely in the critical face of the war.
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4.
KDU aims at developing Officer Cadets’ military and academic skills, cultural, social and
psychological adaptability and leadership qualities which are essential components to be a good
young military leader. Moreover they should be a role model for their subordinates. For this
purpose, KDU handpicks candidates among many applicants keeping in the view of quality of the
candidates are assured. Application for enlistment is purely of the own free will of the candidates.
5.
Based on experience gained through the last 30 years of its existence, it is decided to
develop the degree programmes and introduce other structural changes for the university to cater for
the future demand.
DIVERSIFICATION OF ACADEMIC SPECTRUM
6.
With the termination of the terrorist conflict, the armed forces are involved in almost all
areas of development work in the country. Therefore, the tri services need to develop new skills and
capabilities whilst maintaining the required standards of combat efficiency. KDU, being an
institution which produces young officers with degrees in the relevant academic fields needs to
ensure the right blend of military and academic studies. There is a dearth of experienced
professionals and academics in the respective disciplines in the country. As such, the armed forces
could fulfill the shortfall of professionals through the programmes that are newly introduced by the
defence university. i.e. Medicine, Law, BSc in Logistic Management and BSc in Social Sciences.
7.
The armed forces need an uninterrupted supply of quality young people volunteering to join
the forces. Since the terrorist conflict is over, there is a change in the mindset of the people and it
demands for KDU to increase its programmes and thus a careful scrutiny in selecting right
candidates is also required. In this endeavour, true patriotism and military professionalism of the
selected candidates should be given high consideration. It should also be noted that traditionally
there is a high demand of more civil universities. KDU needs to be very competitive to attract best
students from the qualified student community.
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8.
One of the major obstacles for improving and modernizing as a government institution is
bureaucratic intricacies which includes much debated policies and funds. However, KDU has been
able to obtain funds from government which requires continuing the modernizing process. In this
situation there is a need for a careful consideration for the challenges of post conflict Sri Lanka in
achieving national security and economic development.
THE ROLE OF DEFENCE UNIVERSITY IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIO ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
9.
The empirical information with respect to economic growth and development in Sri Lanka
witnesses that it had not been substantial due to the separatist war. Along with the end of war, there
is an urgent need of creating necessary conditions for the economy to accelerate economic growth
and development whilst establishing long-lasting peace in the country. As a higher education
institution related to defence, KDU can play a dual role in the context of facing the challenges of
economic development and national security. The government of Sri Lanka has directed its policy
framework to double the per capita income from $2000 – 4000 by 2015. In order to achieve this
target there is a need of maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in the country while creating necessary
conditions for acceleration of investment. In addition, there is a need to improve the conditions for
effectiveness and efficiency of the production sectors that enhance the economic growth of the
country. In this regard, the contribution by KDU will be significant. Here, KDU can provide
necessary knowledge and professional skills through its programmes, in particular after the
implementation of the restructured programmes referred in the KDU Prospectus, 2010-2012, i.e
Medicine, Law and Logistic Management. KDU also intends to commence civil - military
amalgamated degree programmes in year 2011. The civil - military amalgamated porgrammes have
two main objectives as stated below:
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a.
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Producing of academically and professionally qualified disciplined leaders /
managers for the country’s economic development.
b.
To have a larger professionally trained Volunteer/Reserve Force for the emergency
deployment.
10.
In the post conflict scenario national security of the country is crucial in maintaining
sustainable peace for the economy to accelerate its activities while reacting appropriately to the
ideological challenges of separatist struggle and other domestic conflicts. Therefore, there is a need
for the forward defence policies with respect to national security and the sovereignty and the
integrity of the country while giving consideration for the socio economic and political challenges
of the society. In this scenario KDU has the responsibility to be the think tank in developing
research in relation to national security, economic development and other contextual requirements.
Accordingly, KDU has introduced Law, Social Sciences, Conflict Resolution, IHL, etc into its
degree programmes.
RESOURCE CONSTRAINT AS A DEVELOPING COUNTRY
11.
Sri Lanka as a developing country undergoes financial restrictions in the context of national
security, economic growth and development of the country. Therefore, there are restrictions towards
budgetary allocations for public programmes. Under these circumstances there is a need of effective
and efficient functioning of national security of the country. If national security is functioning
effectively, it can perform efficiently in the long run; furthermore the loss of lives as well as the loss
of resources in war and/or conflict situations will be under control, and there is no need of
increasing national defence extensively in the long run. In such a situation the repercussions of
extended defence expenditure can be minimized and it enables the government to draw its attention
to infrastructure development and other economic growth induced investments. In this regard
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University can play a pivoted role in creating necessary
conditions within the defence and non-defence sectors of the economy. Firstly, by providing
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officers with academic and professional qualification that helps them in making versatile effective
and efficient decisions that are important in the post conflict scenario of Sri Lanka. Secondly, The
KDU will bridge the gap between the defence and other professional and academic institutions in
order to gain mutual economic benefits for the defence and non defence sectors of the country.
NEED FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF PERPETUAL PEACE
12.
During the post conflict period of Sri Lanka, it is needed draw every citizens attention to
prevent possible conflicts that could grab economic resources with greater opportunity cost on
economic development. The cost of war in relation to GDP is more than four folds of GDP of Sri
Lanka. Therefore, the peace achieved by defeating LTTE terrorism needs to be transformed in to a
perpetual peace and allow the society to enjoy the dividends of peace in the long run. Furthermore,
the government and the people of the country also hold the responsibility to identify and implement
the necessary programmes that could recover the enormous cost of war during the last 30 years.
Therefore, there is a need of preventing of any future conflict and ensure the security to prevent any
possible loss of lives and resources as experienced in the past 30 years since 1980s. In this effort
KDU can play its role through the restructuring of its academic and professional programmes
facilitating the defence services to achieve their objectives and also improve the Government
machinery.
13.
Furthermore, as a higher educational institution KDU will be able to bridge the gap between
defence universities and other national and international universities. These changes in the KDU
programmes will benefit to defence through the new access of innovative culture that includes
competitiveness, updating of information technology and innovative knowledge. Keeping this view
KDU has expanded the scope of studies of the Institute of Post Graduate Studies (IPGS) to improve
linguistic and Information Technology skills of serving officers and Other Ranks in various levels
of tri-services and the Police department. The establishment of Centre for Research and
Development under KDU was also inline with the inculcation of innovative culture. Furthermore,
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through the exchange programmes and other sharing facilities between KDU and other universities,
the country will be benefited as a whole. KDU as a defence institution, has integrated “effectiveness
and discipline” with its programmes in line with the KDU vision, mission and objectives. It would
also become a role model for the private sector as well as the other national universities, in
achieving their objectives of the respective institutions. Through such reinforcements, the whole
society will be benefitted. Thus, KDU in the post conflict era of the country would play a multiple
role in achieving its short term and long term objectives with respect to national security and
economic development of the country.
14.
KDU is in the process of implementing new degree programmes and revising the existing
degree programmes. For this purpose thorough study was conducted taking into consideration of
the national security policies and demand of national defence that aligned with economic
development. In this regard the following conceptual framework has been taken as the base for the
restructuring and modernization programmes:
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE PROGRAMME
15.
As explained earlier KDU needs to ensure the right blend of military and academic
concoction. A logically evolved concept had been followed to achieve the desired outcome. The
university operates in two mutually exclusive models during the degree programmes. Strong
leadership is needed at the highest level to ensure harmony and smooth relationship between
military and civilian teaching staff. Further, teaching methods practise in military are significantly
different to civil academic staff. Moreover, issues of attitudes between military and civilian staff are
different and leadership at the highest level need continues intervention and guidelines. Both
military and academic staff has tirelessly work towards developing of core and auxiliary modules.
In our conceptual model we are looking at a mutually complementing end product which blends
with academic and military. Finally, as an outcome of this University our end product will be a role
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model in the military and to be a professional academician who could serve the nation as a
professional military officer with academic excellence.
INPUTS
OUT PUT
OUTCOME
a. University’s
Vision & Mission.
Military
25%
Academic
75%
16.
b. Development of
course curriculum.
Achievement
of
benchmarked
standard
c. Identification of
Core & Auxiliary
Subjects.
d. Setting of
objectives & learning
outcomes.
a. Achievement of
core competencies on
both
military
&
academic
professionalism.
b. Mutually
complementing
model.
c. A role model for
the armed forces and
society at large.
A comparison of the degrees offered by KDU is as follows:
S/N
Degree Programme
1
2
Bachelor of Arts (Defence Studies) Degree
Bachelor of Commerce (Defence Studies)
Degree
Bachelor of Science (Defence Studies) in
Management & Technical Sciences
Degree
Bachelor of Science (Defence Studies) in
Mechanical Engineering Degree
Bachelor of Science (Defence Studies) in
Marine Engineering Degree
Bachelor of Science (Defence Studies) in
Civil Engineering Degree
Bachelor of Science (Defence Studies) in
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Degree
Bachelor of Science (Defence Studies) in
Aeronautical Engineering Degree
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
(MBBS)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
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During
Conflict Era
(Before
May 2009)
√
√
Post Conflict Era
2009
(After 2010 2011
May)
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
11
12
13
14
15
16
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Bachelor of Science (Bsc) in Logistic
Management
Bachelor of Science (Bsc) in Management
& Technical Sciences
Bachelor of Science (Bsc) in Social
Sciences
Master of Science in Management
Bachelor of Science in Management
Master of Science in Military Science and
Technology
Master of Philosophy
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
KDU AS A SELF-FUNDED ORGANIZATION
17.
The restructuring and the modernization of KDU need more resources in the future. In a
situation where government is seeking for acceleration of investment in infrastructure development
and other economic growth induce investments such as R&D etc., KDU needs to think of fund
raising programmes in the future. This will be crucial in the context of challenges of economic
development. If KDU can be competitive in its degree programmes there will be a demand from the
non defence government sector as well as from the private sector. The civilian-military
amalgamated degree programmes at KDU and the current foreign cadets’ academic programmes are
also the focal points of fund raising. Apart from these, the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies and the
projected degrees and other programmes in Information Technology (IT) and English are
programmes with the potential for raising funds. For an example, in 2009 the KDU was able to raise
Rs.3.9 Mn from the fee levying courses. The university intends to recover total recurrent budget of
the university by 2015 through fee levying courses.
LESSONS TO BE DRAWN
18.
Though defence universities are traditional and grand they should change and progress when
the situation demands. The situation will dictate parameters for such changes. Defence universities
of the developing countries should ensure the focus on national strategies to which military also
been encompassed in maintenance status quo of peace time security. Post conflict era demands a
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high degree of professionalism which will support the economic development of the country.
Contrarily non technical degrees were of high demand during conflict period. Reforms are needed
drastically in the transition.
19.
Attracting the best potential is one of the challenges to a defence university during peace
time. Diversification of the academic spectrum is one of the key approaches to attract the best talent
and retain that into military services.
CONCLUSION
20.
KDU as the only defence university in Sri Lanka holds a greater responsibility in achieving
the development targets of government in the post conflict Sri Lanka. As the challenges of Sri
Lanka in the areas of national security, socio economic development and the need of perpetual
peace under contemporary globalization become critical, KDU needs to address the issues carefully
and strengthened with forward looking policies for the benefit of the defence as well as for the
society as a whole. The new degree programmes and the restructuring of some of the existing
degree programmes that are developed under different faculties in line with the accredited standard
at national level and at international level will enable to achieve the targets of KDU. The self
funded KDU programmes and the competitiveness of the KDU programmes at national and
international level will enable to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of KDU as a defence
institution. The restructuring and the modernization programmes are in line with the vision,
missions of KDU that contributes to the defence, the government and the society at large to take up
the challenges in the post conflict Sri Lanka.
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