Dr Sarath Obeysekera

200-year-old UK institution  Famous Kings College to open Ho Chi Minh City campus

King’s College School (KCS) Wimbledon is expanding its Southeast Asian footprint with the announcement of a new campus in Ho Chi Minh City.

The new campus, which marks the institution’s second regional site following its initial expansion into Bangkok in 2020, is slated to open in August 2027, serving students from kindergarten through high school – ages 2 to 18.

Representatives confirmed at a launch event on Saturday that King’s College Wimbledon Ho Chi Minh City will be governed and quality-assured directly by KCS Wimbledon to ensure an authentic King’s education, covering everything from curriculum design to teacher recruitment.

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/200-year-old-uk-institution-to-open-ho-chi-minh-city-campus-vnepre-5071922.html#vn_source=Detail&vn_campaign=Box-Readmore&vn_medium=Item-3&vn_term=Mobile&vn_aid=5075085

Proposal: Sri Lanka International Education Hub Initiative”

1. Invite prestigious global schools and universities
   • Offer long-term land leases in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, or Port City.
   • Encourage partnerships with local institutions.
2. Create Special Education Zones
   • Similar to free trade zones.
   • Fast-track approvals, visas, and infrastructure.
3. Link education with emerging sectors
   • Marine engineering and offshore studies
   • Port logistics and maritime law
   • Artificial intelligence and digital technology
   • Hospitality and tourism management
4. Attract foreign students
   • Students from South Asia, East Africa, and the Maldives could study in Sri Lanka at lower cost than Singapore or Europe.
5. Generate foreign exchange
   • International schools and universities bring recurring dollar income through tuition, accommodation, and services.
6. Retain Sri Lankan talent
   • Many parents currently send children abroad due to limited premium educational pathways locally.

Strategic Lesson from Vietnam

Vietnam did not wait to become fully developed before inviting global institutions. It created confidence through policy consistency, infrastructure, and openness to international partnerships.

Sri Lanka can do the same — especially if education development is connected with:

• Colombo Port City
• Port of Colombo
• Trincomalee industrial and maritime expansion
• Offshore and marine sector development

Education can become a major export industry for Sri Lanka, just as important as tourism or ports.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera