About Us
Vision Mission
Kannada University is established through the Kannada University Act, 1991. University is located in Hampi. Hampi is an important historical site belonging to Vijayanagara Kingdom and is situated in Hosapete Taluk of Bellary District. Vijayanagara Kingdom has been the icon of Kannada identity and has inspired the Karnataka unification movement. In other words Hampi is symbolically representing the unified Karnataka. Besides, Hampi is the treasure house of Indian Architecture and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Center. Founders of Kannada University were not only specific about the location of the university; they had the intention of establishing a unique university – unique in terms of purpose, in terms of language, in terms of definition of knowledge and in terms of jurisdiction.
The primary objective of the University is to conduct multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research on various aspects of Karnataka and Kannada. Other universities produce and impart knowledge in English and this has created a gap between universities and society. In order to bridge this gap university initially produced knowledge in Kannada. However later on University understood that it is not simply a problem of language; rather it is much more complex issue involving theories, methods, concepts and research communities. In the process now we do not confine our definition of knowledge to the definition given by science. We have expanded it to take into account the non-science definition and understanding of knowledge found in our own and other cultures. University doesn’t have a regional and disciplinary jurisdiction unlike other universities. Its research programs break the disciplinary boundaries to create new grounds in knowledge production. All these special features of the university are represented in the below given vision, mission and value framework of the university.
Vision of the University
- To be a premiere institute in the world specializing in Karnataka Studies.
- To Produce and disseminate all knowledge in Kannada.
- To explore the diverse ethos and culture of Karnataka and sustain it as a pluralistic society.
Mission Statement
- To promote multi-disciplinary research in Kannada on culture, society, economy and polity.
- To make research materials (both discursive as well as material) available to scholars of Karnataka Studies.
- To study the linguistic (textual, oral, performative and discursive) practices of the society in general and marginalized communities in particular.
- To identify multiple knowledge systems with which the communities operate and theorize them.
- To discover, decipher and preserve manuscripts inscribed on leaves, stone and on other materials.
- To develop theory, method, concept and language to meet the research practices of Kannada research community.
- To train and promote the spirit of multi-disciplinary research practices among the students.
- To critically examine and make viable the agricultural, business and other livelihood practices of the communities
- To establish academic and community linkages to take the knowledge to society and to bring back the knowledge underlining their practices.
- To make available research/knowledge in Kannada to both academics and those who are interested through publications, databases and web services.
- To be a platform for scholars of other institutions who are working in the thrust areas recognized by the university.
Value Framework
- Sustaining plurality in idea production.
- Encouraging the habit of questioning.
- Inculcating the spirit of secularism
- Promoting harmony of nature and culture