Over recent years, KIU University and the KIU Group of Companies have emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s most consistently recognised institutions, earning national and international accolades across healthcare, sustainability, workforce development, and community impact. These achievements reflect a focused institutional commitment to delivering well-governed, high-impact initiatives that address national priorities while meeting global standards of excellence. One of KIU’s most significant achievements is the project “Transforming Sri Lankan Youth into Global Caregivers through South Asia’s Largest Caregiving Skill Lab,” which responds directly to youth unemployment in Sri Lanka and global shortages of skilled healthcare workers. Through this initiative, KIU established South Asia’s largest caregiving skill laboratory, a purpose-built training facility exceeding 30,000 square feet, creating a new national benchmark for professional healthcare training and international employability. The programme equips Sri Lankan youth with internationally recognised caregiving qualifications, supported by language and workplace readiness training aligned with overseas healthcare standards. Structured and ethical employment pathways have been created to Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, enabling young Sri Lankans to access secure, regulated, and skilled overseas employment. In recognition of its scale, relevance, and social impact, the project received the Gold Award in the Healthcare Sector at the National Project Management Excellence Awards (NPME) organised by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Colombo Chapter.

KIU’s impact extends beyond workforce development. The Lahugala Smart Water Project, implemented by Green Cross Sri Lanka of the KIU Group, delivers clean drinking water to over 1,900 villagers in Lahugala, Ampara District. The project received the National Energy Globe Award from Austria, selected from more than 2,000 projects across 141 countries—and the PMI Silver Award for Best Green Project, recognising both its sustainability impact and disciplined project execution. Extending KIU University’s recognition onto the global stage, Ms. Thishani Rodrigo, University Secretary, Assistant to President and Chief of Strategic Global Partnerships, received the Global Recognition Award, ranking within the top four percent globally among over 12,000 applicants from 80 countries. The award recognises leadership demonstrating exceptional vision, measurable impact, and sustained excellence in international academic partnerships, institutional governance, and ethical recruitment frameworks. Through her leadership, KIU and its affiliated institutions have established trusted collaborations connecting Sri Lanka with Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Further affirming the global relevance of her contributions, Ms. Rodrigo was featured in Business Insider USA for her leadership in international partnerships, academic governance, and ethical recruitment, enhancing Sri Lanka’s visibility as a source of credible, well-governed academic and professional institutions. Together, these recognitions affirm KIU University’s role as a globally engaged institution delivering impact beyond academia, strengthening Sri Lanka’s standing in higher education, workforce development, and sustainable national progress.