Kuvempu University an affiliating University established in 1987. It is a State University recognized by UGC under 2(f) and 12(b). The University has been named after great Kannada writer Shri KUVEMPU and has achieved a distinctive academic profile and a cultural identity of its own. Interestingly, the features of its identity seem to have emerged out of the multifaceted personality of Kuvempu, the great doyen of Kannada literature, a Jnanapitha awardee and one among the most significant cultural figures of modern India.
Kuvempu University is a confluence of the local and the global; of the regional and the pan-Indian; of the sustenance provided by tradition and the dynamism provided by modernity; of a deep sense of commitment to the socially and culturally disadvantaged and an equally deep commitment to excellence. The emblem of the university has a mythical animal with the trunk of an elephant and the body of a swan. This mythical animal, called Gajahamsa is commonly found in the Vijayanagara and the Keladi sculpture and temple art. It symbolizes the integration of knowledge and wealth. The jurisdiction of the university spreads over the districts of Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru. It is a university with a distinctive academic profile, blending in itself commitment to rural ethos in modern spirit. The university offers under-graduate, post- graduate and Ph.D programmes in a wide range of disciplines. It has 35 Post-graduate Departments in the Faculties of Arts, Commerce, Education, and Science and Technology. The University has its headquarters at Jnana Sahyadri campus. It sprawls over an area of 230 acres of a lush green, picturesque locale providing the right ambience for higher education. The main buildings of the university have been constructed on small hillocks, thus blending naturally with the landscape. The entire campus area is free from any form of pollution. The undisturbed and pleasant atmosphere on the campus makes it ideally suited for the pursuit of higher education and research.
Post-Graduate Centre, Kadur
With the objective of providing higher education to rural youth, Kuvempu University established a Post-graduate Centre at Basavanagara, Kadur. It is spread over 65 acres near Shivamogga-Bengaluru highway and 7 kms away from Kadur town. Four courses are offered here; M.Com, MA Economics, M.Sc. Chemistry and M.Sc. Pharmaceutical Chemistry. It has separate hostels for boys and girls.
Post-Graduate Centre, Chikkamagaluru
To further promote the motto, "Quality Education for all" and to encourage rural students in seeking admission to Postgraduate programmes, University has started one more centre at Chikkamagaluru. Four courses are offered here: M.Com, MA Kannada, M.A. Political Science and M.Sc. Mathematics.
Affiliated Colleges
The University has 99 affiliated colleges. These include 3 constituent colleges, 30 Government aided colleges, 65 Unaided private colleges, and one college under the direct control of the University, spread over the two districts offering Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Programmes. Among them, 18 colleges offer B.Ed programme; 35 colleges have been assessed and accredited by NAAC; and 47 colleges are admitted to 2(f) and 12(b).
Constituent Colleges
Sahyadri Arts College, Sahyadri Commerce and Management College, and Sahyadri Science College (Autonomous), the erstwhile government institutions, are now the constituent colleges of Kuvempu University. These colleges have contributed illustrious persons to every important field. Among the celebrities who are the alumni of the colleges are Dr. U. R. Ananthamurthy, Jnanapitha awardee; Prof. C. N. R. Rao, eminent Scientist and Bharatha Ratna awardee; Sri. K. V. Subbanna, Magsaysay awardee; and Sri. D. H. Shankaramurthy, Speaker of Legislative Council and former Minister of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka.Both the colleges have been recognized as Colleges with Potential for Excellence by the University Grants Commission. Sahyadri Colleges are celebrating Platinum Jubilee.
Directorate of Distance Education (DDE)
To foster university-society relationship with the motto, Education for All, the Directorate of Distance Education of the university is offering under-graduate, post-graduate and P.G Diploma courses. The objective is to take quality education to the doorsteps of the aspirants of higher education.
Prasaranga
Prasaranga, the publication and extension wing of the University, plays a key role in disseminating knowledge and in building a bridge between the academic world and the society at large. The varied activities of the Prasaranga are mainly of three kinds viz.,extension lectures, publication of books and publication of university newsletter.
Keladi Museum
The Keladi museum is a unique museum of manuscripts, sculptures and paintings which also houses a publication wing. The museum houses about 2,500 palm leaf manuscripts, thousands of paper manuscripts written in Kannada, Sanskrit and Telugu scripts, besides four hundred palm leaf manuscripts in Tigalari script. It provides facilities to scholars for research.