Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University, Dharwad, was born from a natural next step in a journey that began over a century ago in Dharmasthala’s gurukulas, schools, and higher educational hubs. After decades of nurturing these centers of excellence independently, Chancellor Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade envisioned a unified academic ecosystem that could bring all health and allied sciences under one coherent, future-ready university framework. That vision took institutional shape on December 19, 2018, when SDM University was established at Sattur, Dharwad, as a State Private University under the Karnataka Act 2018.
Vision:
SDM University aims to set the highest standards of teaching and learning by blending ancient wisdom with modern science, awakening student intelligence, nurturing hidden creativity, and transforming them into well-rounded individuals equipped to face contemporary challenges.
University Academic Streams
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Physiotherapy
- Nursing
- Biomedical Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Allied Health Sciences
- Super Speciality Courses (DM and M.Ch.)
- Doctoral Studies
Three Revolutionary Firsts
- One of the premier State Private Universities to strategically consolidate diverse health science disciplines under one canopy to foster a synergistic healthcare educational environment.
- First State Private University in the Country to incorporate digital assessments from inception; by conducting all examinations digitally on e-pads to ensure an eco-friendly assessment process.
- Operating under a premier non-profit educational society, the university dismantles premium barriers through socially responsible fees and Vidya Vikasa Nidhi scholarships, ensuring financial constraints never impede access to healthcare education.
The Annual Impact
- Over 2,500 students across all programs
- 500+ faculty members from diverse specialties
Dr. Niranjan Kumar, a renowned plastic surgeon with international credentials, took on the role of Founding Vice Chancellor at SDM University in 2018. With FRCS qualifications from both England and Glasgow, and having performed over 10,000 cleft lip and palate surgeries, Dr. Niranjan Kumar
brings a unique blend of surgical precision and visionary leadership. An avid reader who also has immense interest in sketching, painting and photography, his journey spans prestigious institutions such as KMC Manipal, Manipal Hospital Bangalore, and leadership roles in world-class
healthcare centers, before steering SDM University’s ambitious mission. His surgical mindset translates into institutional leadership: decisive, action-oriented, and focused on tangible outcomes. In recognition of his exemplary contributions to medical education and healthcare, Dr. Niranjan Kumar was recently conferred the Padma Vibhushan Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Lifetime Achievement Award.
“As long as our quality is good, I don’t have to worry at all. I often tell the
story of the eagle being attacked by a crow, it doesn’t fight back; it simply
soars higher and higher. Similarly, our focus should always be on continuous
improvement. Competition may bring efficiency, but that efficiency can
sometimes be ruthless. What we aspire to is an efficiency born out of love,
because love brings out the best in us.”
In the next five to six years, I want people from other countries to come here to learn from us
Dr. Niranjan Kumar
Vice Chancellor
Building Trust and Wellness
- Provide the best possible treatment at affordable prices to the people of Dharwad and Hubli, regardless of whether patients have money, day or
night. - Conduct patient screening and diagnostic camps in villages and areas surrounding the hospital.
- Adopted 10 government schools to provide continued support, including a special school for
children with developmental neurological problems. - Student involvement in social responsibility by adopting families in villages, acting like old-time
family doctors. - Run outreach clinics and specialized health camps regularly in villages such as Yadavad, Dharwad, and Hubli, including eye and dental camps.
- Promote a culture of charity among students by organizing charity walks, cyclothons, marathons and walkathons, corresponding to the birthdays of
the Chancellor and University. - Emphasize environmental responsibility by encouraging love and respect for nature; restrict student use of motor vehicles in campus hostels and provide bicycles instead to reduce accidents and promote nature preservation.
Mr. Saketh Shetty, a young and Dynamic Director Administration is a new hope to SDM University. A graduate of Information Science from SDM Engineering College, Dharwad with a Hospital Administration postgraduate degree holder from a reputed University TOI-OHOMAI, Rotorua, New Zealand. With his dynamic young administration, the University is looking for a new hope of change towards to become one of the top Universities, particularly in the area of digitalization. Already the winner of two young achiever awards one from RED FM and another one from Mid-Town Rotary Club Hubli
Strengthening Foundations
Shri V. Jeevandhar Kumar, Pro VC (Admin) & Secretary, SDME Society, Dharwad describes the university’s next chapter as building “a dynamic, transparent, people-centered system” that strengthens the seven-yearold university’s foundations while pushing it toward national and global excellence in health and allied sciences.
A key focus is building skills for nearly 3,500 non-teaching staff across hospitals, colleges, and support units. The Pro Vice-Chancellor has launched training to make every staff member a proud representative of SDM values. Programs cover customer service, file management, ERP, digital billing, and basic cybersecurity. Soft skills and leadership workshops enhance politeness, efficiency, and tech confidence, ensuring professional and humane interactions campus-wide.
SDM University organised a Charity Walk on 30th November 2025 as part of the Founder’s Day Celebration (birthday of Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade, Hon’ble Chancellor and Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala) who celebrated his 77th Birthday on 25th November. Every year, SDM University conducts the Charity Walk on different health related themes and the proceedings out of the Charity Walk will be used to provide the best possible treatment to deserving patients. Likewise, this year’s Walk for Charity Theme was “Save the Eye”.
About 2000 plus Faculty, Staff and Students of various constituent institutions of SDM University participated in the Charity Walk and the walk started from RN Shetty Stadium, Dharwad and it concluded at SDM Medical College Campus which is about 8 KMs. The Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissioner, Shri N. Shashikumar, IPS; and Dr. Niranjan Kumar, Vice Chancellor flagged off for the Charity Walk.
