KDU Unveiled the Center for Strategic Assessment (CSA)
The Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies (FDSS) established the Center for Strategic Assessment (CSA) on 06th June 2023 with the support of the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) in the USA. The CSA conducted an inaugural workshop at the boardroom of FDSS on 06th June 2023. The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor of KDU, Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil the Vice Chancellor appreciated the ISG’s contribution to upgrading and revising the curriculum of the MSc in Strategic Studies and International Relations. The CSA is headed by Dr. Harinda Vidanage as the Director and Dr. Sanath De Silva as the Programme Manager, supported by the Research Coordinator and Research Officer of the Department of Strategic Studies, and linked to the Ministry of Defence via the three Research Officers of the Institute of National Security Studies of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
It was noted that the establishment of the Center for Strategic Analysis is one of the KDU’s long-awaited hopes as the only Defence University in Sri Lanka. The Vice-Chancellor in his speech, stated that Sri Lanka lacks strategic engagement in various fields and defence is one of the most prominent areas of those, and the current initiative of the Center for Strategic Assessment will lead to a new policy development drive in Sri Lanka. He further mentioned that the establishment of the Sri Lanka’s first Center for Strategic Assessment is a historic milestone for KDU. Further, the logo of CSA was also unveiled by the Vice-Chancellor of KDU. In addition, the Director of CSA delivered the inaugural address and he emphasized the importance of undertaking the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for the new center.
Brigadier DCA Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Defence & Administration) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, made the opening remarks at the workshop. The representatives of ISG, Dr. Oscar De Soto, Dr. Barak Salmoni, Mr. Max Kelly, Mr. Matt Ashley and Dean of FDSS, Head of the Department of Strategic Studies (DSS), the Research Coordinator of DSS, and the academic staff of the DSS also participated in the workshop. In the workshop long-term and short-term goals of the CSA were formulated. Furthermore, conceivable strategies and activities to achieve the goals of the CSA were also discussed during this workshop.
The main objective of establishing the Center for Strategic Assessment was to serve as a center for policy formulation in Sri Lanka. CSA enhances strategic decision-making while providing assessment and analysis on various policy issues with the support of experts, policymakers, and stakeholders. In addition, the CSA is optimistic about strengthening partnerships with relevant organizations in the country to enhance knowledge, capacity-building, and collaborative policy initiatives.
