Sri Lanka’s General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) has attracted significant interest with 956 applications received for its paid medical degree program, according to State Minister of Defense, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon. The applications, comprising 868 from local A Level graduates and 88 from those with London A Levels, reflect the keenness among students to pursue medical education at KDU.
The introduction of paid medical degrees at KDU, approved by Sri Lanka’s cabinet in April 2024, marks a notable development in the country’s higher education landscape. With tuition fees set at 12.5 million rupees, the program offers a unique opportunity for aspiring medical professionals to obtain their degrees from a prestigious institution.
This initiative comes in the wake of similar moves within the Sri Lankan education sector, such as the University of Colombo’s introduction of a paid medical degree program for foreign students in 2023, priced at 62,500 dollars. Furthermore, the government’s commitment to recognize degrees from internationally acclaimed universities signals a broader effort to enhance the accessibility and quality of medical education in Sri Lanka.
The surge in applications for KDU’s paid medical degree underscores the growing demand for accessible and high-quality medical education in Sri Lanka, as the government works towards aligning its regulations with global standards to facilitate academic mobility and excellence.