The university is the second-oldest in the state of Karnataka, after the University of Mysore.[4] Karnatak University once served most parts of Karnataka, including the districts of Dharwad, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar and Ballari until the 1980s. Additionally, from 1953 to 1965, the Manipal Institute of Technology and Kasturba Medical College in Manipal were affiliated with Karnatak University.[5] The bifurcation of districts and the establishment of new universities in the region have reduced Karnatak University's jurisdiction to the present-day districts of Dharwad, Gadag, Uttara Kannada.[2]
As early as 1917, the people of North Karnataka raised donations for establishing a university in the region and handed them to the government of Bombay Presidency, in the same year, the presidency government passed a resolution to establish universities in different linguistic regions of the presidency. Later a committee under the chairmanship of Chimanlal Harilal Setalvad recommended the establishment of Karnatak University and the senate of Bombay University gave its assent in 1926. During the 12th session of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at Ballari, the first Karnatak University conference was held with members resolved to form an organisation called ''Karnatak Vishwavidyala Samithi" with Aluru Venkata Rao and S. S. Basavanal as its secretaries. After a period of dormancy, the second Karnatak University conference was held at Belgaum with R. A. Jaghirdar as its president. In 1946, Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha observed "Karnatak University Day" all over the region. Subsequently, the Bombay government appointed the Karnatak University committee and in 1949 the "Karnatak University" bill was passed in the legislature paving the way for establishment of KUD with R. A. Jagirdhar as its first vice chancellor.[4]
Academics
KUD comprises 51 postgraduate departments, 154 teaching staff and a student strength of 4,500.[2]
Affiliated colleges
KUD has more than 250 colleges affiliated to it throughout its jurisdiction.[2][8] KUD administers 5 constituent colleges throughout Dharwad namely Karnatak Arts College, Karnatak Science College, University College of Education, Sir. Siddappa Kambli Law College and University College of Music & Fine Arts.[9]
Campus
KUD's campus spans 888 acres in the Pavate Nagar area of Dharwad. The main building of KUD, the Vidya Soudha was built in 1959 with emphasis on embibing Indian architecture with Neoclassical style.[4]
Postgraduation centers
KUD has 3 PG centers other than the main campus, namely at Karwar, Gadag and Haveri.
PG Center, Karwar: Established in 1975, with academic programs focusing on Marine Sciences in addition with Commerce and English studies.[10]
PG Center, Gadag: Established in 2000, offering academic programs like MCom, MBA and MSW.[11]
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