In a world increasingly shaped by volatile geopolitics, climate change, and emerging technologies, defence education must evolve to meet the demands of the future. This shift in focus was front and center during the 26th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Meeting (ARF-HDUCIM) held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Deputy Minister of Defence, led the charge with a keynote that emphasized the urgent need for transformational change in defence education—one that transcends traditional boundaries and prepares future leaders for an unpredictable world.
At the heart of his message was a call for adaptability. The security landscape is no longer defined by clear-cut conflicts; it is shaped by complex, multi-dimensional threats ranging from cyber warfare to environmental disasters. The old paradigms of military strategy no longer suffice. Instead, future defence leaders must be equipped with the skills to navigate an uncertain, interconnected world—where adaptability, creativity, and cross-disciplinary expertise will be the keys to success.
“Defence education must focus not just on managing threats but on anticipating them,” said Deputy Minister Jayasekara. “It’s time to prepare the next generation of leaders to not only face today’s challenges but to foresee tomorrow’s.”
Also in attendance was Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), who highlighted the importance of adapting defence strategies to the evolving global security environment. His presence underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing Sri Lanka’s role in regional and global defence cooperation.
The event, hosted by the prestigious General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) at the Galle Face Hotel, gathered distinguished representatives from defence institutions worldwide. Notable participants included military and academic leaders, defence experts, and diplomats from countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The collaboration between KDU and the Cambodian National Defence University (CNDU) has fostered deeper ties and created an important platform for exchanging ideas on defence education in a rapidly changing world.
