A huge, impressive, impossible to overlook, 175,000-square feet, 7-storey building at Malabe Road – my tuk tuk driver nods his head knowingly when I tell him the address and cheerfully exclaims “I know, KIU!” But what does it actually mean and what’s hiding behind the door of this monumental, Japanese-style building? Apparently, neither the Embassy [...]
A huge, impressive, impossible to overlook, 175,000-square feet, 7-storey building at Malabe Road – my tuk tuk driver nods his head knowingly when I tell him the address and cheerfully exclaims “I know, KIU!” But what does it actually mean and what’s hiding behind the door of this monumental, Japanese-style building? Apparently, neither the Embassy of Japan, nor a head office of a foreign company, as some assume. Those three red letters at the top of the building stand for Kaatsu International for Undergraduate studies, a Higher Education Institute accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and recognized by the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka. Relatively new (opened in 2014), the place has been growing like a dough on yeasts and currently offers several degree programs as well as diploma and certificate courses in Ayurveda, Acupuncture and Kaatsu at reasonable prices and with government interest-free loan schemes.
The mysterious word, which happens to be a part of the name of this institute, is a special method of body training invented in Japan by Prof. Sir Yoshiaki Sato, the Chancellor of KIU, however, speaking Japanese or being a body-builder is not on the list of admission requirements at all. Still, students and staff members, having completed mental workouts at desks, can exercise their muscles at the well-equipped campus gym. Apart from all the facilities designed to provide education and training to students, there is an acupuncture clinic offering free treatment to anyone not scared of needles. KIU also hosts under its roof the office of Green Cross, Sri Lanka presided by KIU Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jagath Seneviratne. In commitment to Green University Concept KIU has undertaken many environmental projects in Sri Lanka related to water pollution, degradation of natural forests, effect of heavy use of polyethene and recycling initiatives.
While listing all the impressive facilities at KIU, one definitely cannot be left out – a beautifully designed, state-of-the art auditorium with its doors open not only to KIU students and staff who utilize it for inaugurations, convocations, symposiums and talent shows; the auditorium can be rented out by external companies to hold glorious occasions such as graduation, conference and awards – with the red carpet rolled out just like during Oscars ceremony. Although there is no red carpet rolled out for my arrival at early hours of each weekday, when I climb up the main stairs of that dazzling construction, I do feel like a Hollywood star entering the Globe Theatre. Come and see for yourself, drop by 249/1 Malabe Road, Thalangama North, Battaramulla.
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