Karnataka University, Dharwad

Karnatak University (KUD) is a public state university in Dharwad, Karnataka, India, established in 1950 through the Karnatak University Act, 1949, passed by the Bombay Province legislature. It is the second-oldest university in Karnataka after the University of Mysore. Historically, KUD served most of Karnataka, including Dharwad, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Bidar and Ballari, until the 1980s, and even affiliated the Manipal Institute of Technology and Kasturba Medical College from 1953 to 1965. Today its jurisdiction covers Dharwad, Gadag, and Uttara Kannada districts. The university is recognized under the UGC's 'University with Potential for Excellence' scheme and received an 'A' grade with a CGPA of 3.13 from NAAC in 2022. R. A. Jahagirdar served as its first vice chancellor. KUD comprises 51 postgraduate departments, 154 teaching staff, and about 4,500 students, with over 250 affiliated colleges and 5 constituent colleges in Dharwad. Its 888-acre campus in Pavate Nagar houses the Vidya Soudha, built in 1959. It also operates three postgraduate centers at Karwar, Gadag, and Haveri. Notable alumni include Girish Karnad, Sudha Murty, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Chandrashekhara Kambara.