Kannada University, Hampi was established by the Government of Karnataka through the Kannada University Act 1991 in 1991. Though the University was established in 1991, the demand for such a University was there in Karnataka since the mid 1980s. The Government of Karnataka established a commission under the chairmanship of Sadashiva Wodeyar to look into the demand. This Committee after consulting various intellectuals, education experts, political thinkers, social activists, literary personalities and representatives of people came out with a report and recommended the establishment of the much-needed Kannada University.

                                    Kannada University is a unique institution. It doesn’t have a regional jurisdiction unlike other universities, which cater to the educational needs of a particular region. Even its research programs break the disciplinary boundaries to create new ground in knowledge production. The primary objective of the University is to conduct multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research on various aspects of Karnataka and Kannada.