The International Karate Daigaku (University) was founded in 2011, by Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai 10th Dan.  Shihan Frank is the chief instructor of the IKD, President of the Caribbean Karate College, Chief instructor and Chairman of the Guyana Karate College, and Chairman of IKD Canada and IKD Guyana.

Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai 10th Dan

Shihan Frank began training in shotokan in 1983, earning his black belt in 1971 from the JKA.  In 1989, he graduated from the ISKF/JKA Instructor Training Institute, earning his A-class Instructor, A-class Examiner, and A-class Judge.  Under the ISKF, he earned his 7th and 8th Dans.  Shihan Frank founded JKA Guyana in 1971 and was chief Instructor of JKA Jamaica from 1976 to 1980.  In 1980, he moved to Toronto and served as ISKF Canada chairman for 26 years.  In 1981, he founded the Toronto JKA.  Shihan Frank served as co-vice chairman of the ISKF Technical Committee for several years. He is the first chairman of the Caribbean Karate College, and in 2006, he founded the Guyana Karate College (GKC).  In 2011, Shihan Frank received the official Land Title to an acre of land from Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana, to build a 12,000 square foot GKC International Budokan Dojo.  In 2011, he was appointed to the Order of Service of Guyana, M.S. And back in 1996, he received the French Guiana Medal of Honour, M.H, for 20 years of karate service to that country.

The International Karate Daigaku has a membership of 80 regions in 58 countries, with 200+ dojos.  Under the direction of Shihan Frank, the IKD adopted new bunkai, a new Kyu and Dan testing syllabus, introduced passports and an instructors training program, a new method of teaching kihon, kumite, team kata, bunkai, and enbu, new tournament rules, and introduced Oyo and traditional weapons.

The Mission Statement of the IKD

“The International Karate Daigaku (IKD) will use traditional and modern applied research to offer the highest level of karate to all students. IKD will uphold standards of excellence that inspire our students to improve character development and instil core values of respect, honour and discipline. The IKD will also encourage positive behaviour and empower children and youth to live socially and emotionally healthy lives. The philosophy of karate will also be merged and aligned with culture and education to reflect the environment within which we live. It will help us understand ourselves and each other. The end result is to have karate at the heart of all communities and promote peace, thereby preserving the well-being of humanity.”