Established on 19th December 2018 as a State Private University at Sattur, Dharwad, SDM University was established under the Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University Act 2018. Sponsored by Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Society (SDM Educational Society), Ujire, Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, the Chancellor of this University is Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade who is also the President of SDM Educational Society and Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala. Operating as a non-profit entity, SDM Educational Society which has been in the field of Education and Healthcare since 1903 dating back to the starting of Siddhavana Gurukula by the Heggades of Dharmasthala, this legacy continues even today across the activities of more than 55 premier Academic and Professional institutions across Karnataka. The professional higher education institutions under the umbrella operate on the varied fields of – Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Management, Law, Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Social Sciences, that regularly add glory to SDM Educational Society, by giving back capable leaders of tomorrow.
A State Private University which strives to be a place filled with joy and inspirations, the SDM University follows a complete scientific approach to every lesson taught at the University. Academics embedded at the university are a combination of both traditional and modern values of an efficient learning environment, across its 5 constituent institutions. Situated in Dharwad, Karnataka, SDM University emphasizes on a global growth perspective, where every student is turned into a highly skilled and proficient professional coming out of the University, ready to take his/her spot in this competitive world outside. “SDM University graduates will have a high sense of ethical and moral values after being nurtured extensively and igniting the creativity among every individual student in SDM University Campus”, shares – Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade, the chancellor of the university. Adding to his above statement, and continuing to explain what SDM University really stands for, the chancellor stated – “The entire course, curriculum and very conducive teaching-learning environment is curated towards being completely dynamic yet having the right amount of knowledge gained”.
Building a better world
Being that place where every student gets an equal opportunity to strive, create, be capable and at the end become an employable resource to the society, SDM University upholds its values, commitment which came as a ray of hope in terms of providing quality education and healthcare service even during these gloomy time of turmoil. With the international standards, every amenity made available to the students is meant to guide them through an effortless learning and growth curve, guided and helped by individuals and professionals, who themselves are expert academicians, and research scholars, where every student finds role models in their very own teachers. Furthermore the faculty members bond with students giving rise to strong mentor – mentee relationships, giving a lot of importance, prominence to proactive research and innovation activities on campus.
Focussing towards all-round individuals of tomorrow, the infrastructure consists of State-of-the-art Libraries and Laboratories, an Indoor Stadium, Multiple Playgrounds, Cultural Clubs and so on. With an idea of letting students explore their inner talents by achieving top academic progress, the management wholeheartedly encourages students to participate in the inter-college competitions, annual cultural events, helping them to grow as confident individuals, highly skilled. Also, being a proud ragging free campus, where inclusivity is felt across every corner, the university has set up the Directorate of Research with the intention of all interested faculty to get into research and transform the same knowledge to their students. University has also made a beginning by starting a student research forum for the benefit of budding young students getting involved in the research activities in the students’ days itself.
Expanding the Horizons of Learning & Growth
Founded with an aim of contributing to the growth of the region and the country at large, affordable higher education is imparted to all its students, irrespective of the socio-economic backgrounds they come from. Apart from being a place for exemplary multicultural teaching/learning, affordable health services are provided at the university as well. Considering the current demand for trained/abled healthcare professionals, SDM University works relentlessly towards giving back to society – health care providers and skilled workers, in turn, meeting the global demand.
“Along with creating an inquisitive environment of learning and growth, we at SDM University collaborate with a range of external research partners, as well as other educational institutions across India”, stated – Poojya Shri Heggade, enunciating the impressive industry-academia connect existing on the campus of SDM University. The connection existing between the university and the top corporates and organizations result in various outreach programs, health screening camps, opportunities for seminars/workshops, paper presentations, guest lectures and so on, in turn, benefiting students and teachers alike towards an endless learning experience.
Working in the direction of providing a place of learning for all, progressing on the principles of beauty, love and justice, the management of SDM University has been very successful in creating an ever-evolving campus of innovative teaching and learning, where individuals can face social challenges with confidence. Also, operating as a private university which strives to be a place where broadening of horizons happen everyday, students and everyone present on the campus find new perspectives and discover new experiences, continuing on the path towards successful personal, as well as professional lives. Moreover, working towards ensuring every individual present on the campus is a part of a larger community, and has access to opportunities and makes international connections, SDM University is always ready to welcome every student from the day they arrive, thus giving rise to a thriving community of students, staff, alumni and international partners, all working together towards a collective common goal of providing an excellent student experience and being a force for good and positive change.
Lastly, also known for being a haven of transformations, the fact that university in just a small span has turned into a multi-specialty university, shows that a true mixed-blend education system is adapted at the university, which attracts students from across the country and abroad. Welcoming the NEP 2020 policies and regulations full fledged, SDM University happily endorses the new change, as it allows starting of new courses and institutions but also gives full rights to affiliate the group institutions under its ambit. Summing up the whole conversation, the chancellor stated – “We are always open to the challenges to equip and train the students and keep updating the curriculum with the changing needs”. Also, with the conscious efforts put in by the university, the management ensures to raise the overall performance of the university and its institutes to further heights and guide all their students into better generations of qualified and skilled leaders cum professionals.
Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade – Chancellor
A visionary Leader with a dream to start a Centre of Excellence in Medical Education and Healthcare for the people of North Karnataka Region at an affordable cost who has strong philanthropic goals, he is the Dharmadhikari (Head) of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala for more than 5 decades which controls several Temples including the famous Shree Manjunatheshwara Temple at Dharmasthala. Poojya Shri Heggade is the multidimensional individual, reformer, educationist, philosopher and philanthropist. He has contributed over 5 decades in the field of Religion, Education, social service, economic and Cultural development. Poojya Shri Veerendra Heggade has been bestowed with many awards and titles including the Padma Vibhushan (the 2nd highest civilian award of the Country) for his extensive work towards social reformation and communal harmony