University education in India has a long history of its own and has a long tradition of learning. The ancient universities in India were the leading centers of learning in the contemporary world and attracted scholars from other countries. These institutions were richly endowed and studies in them were fairly comprehensive and included ritual, holy scriptures, grammar, astronomy, medicine, logic and different systems of philosophy. However, after independence, the number of universities and colleges increased considerably, and even today, despite several educational hubs of higher education promising of quality educational curves for the students, only a few live up to the promises. Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University rose to fill this gap, in turn, providing affordable Higher Education to all its students, and producing trained Health Care Providers and Skilled Workers to meet the increasing global demand.
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 Hon’ble 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.
Built staying well in sync with international standards, every amenity made available to the students is meant to guide them through quality teaching setups. Also, being taught by individuals and professionals, who themselves are expert academicians and research scholars, 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 and prominence to proactive research and innovation activities on campus.
High Standards of Teaching and Learning
Always ready to welcome every student from the day they arrive, all of the staff and management members work together towards a collective common goal of providing an excellent student experience, irrespective of the caste, creed or cultural background. Very open to adopting the rules and guidelines of National Educational Policy 2020, the University believes in transforming itself into a multi-speciality University. By progressing towards operating as a multi-speciality University, the campus can have the mixed-blended education system, thus, attracting students from all disciplines across the Country and Abroad.
Having gotten a valuable opportunity of interacting with the Hon’ble Chancellor Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade, we asked him to provide his view point on SDM University, which isn’t on any paper or on any other tabloid. Seeming very calm and enthusiastic in his tone, he shared – “We want to be tuning ourselves to the time as a lot of changes are happening in this ever-changing world”. He continued – “SDM University believes in taking advantage of the modern world and research and scientific growth, working towards giving benefits to the students and the patients who trust in the brand of SDM”.
Built in a scenic setup in Sattur, Dharwad (Karnataka), the University consists of an indoor stadium, multiple playgrounds, cultural clubs, and many more such facilities. The University is also home to various clubs, to name a few – Cultural Club, Nature Club, Photography Club, Yoga & Naturopathy, Music Club. Regular Inter-College sports competitions, Annual Cultural programmes, Annual Magazines of the Literary Club, Under-Graduate Conferences, are some of the extra-curricular activities for the students alongside a well maintained hygienic Mess and Hostel facilities. “We maintain a eco-friendly campus and thus the students are provided with bicycles for their errands and to discourage use of bikes/cars etc, and the campuses are Ragging Free”, Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade, the Hon’ble Chancellor of the University.
Apart from just regular classroom teaching, every course offered at SDM University motivates its students to take part in Outreach programmes, Health Screening Camps, Rural Visits, Urban & Rural Health Centres visits. They are also encouraged to attend Seminars/Workshops etc., conducted in other colleges, along with actively partaking in paper presentations, Poster presentations, and listening to lectures from industry professionals.
Well-prepared for a Better Tomorrow
Despite the COVID-19 wreaking havoc in all our lives, SDM University too felt its strong repercussions. After all the activities having been slowed down, the switch to online learning didn’t take much effort, all thanks to the impressive ICT-enabled infrastructure which was already present at the University. Conveniently the whole operations of the University was shifted online, and activities such seminars, symposiums and others were held in full bloom.
Known for being that entity that doesn’t compromise on the quality of education and healthcare service at any point of time, the University learnt to excel in every field moving steadily towards becoming one of the top Higher Education Centres of Excellence in the Country.
The onboard faculty members of SDM play a major role in guiding the students and the University on to the path of success. Where the faculty members go through a series of interviews held by selectors consisting of Seniors and Experienced in the field among others, only the best end up being a part of the SDM Family. Also, Retention of the Staff has been one of the major achievements of the University, as the University lets even the teachers/lecturers progress by motivating them to take part in Faculty Development Programs, CMEs and Workshops. The Faculties are also encouraged to pursue Fellowships, Certificate Courses to enhance their knowledge and stay updated.
Being that University which reeks of an inquisitive environment of learning and growth, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University rose to fill this gap, in turn, providing affordable Higher Education to all its students collaborates with a range of external research partners, as well as other educational institutions across India. This connection existing between the university and the top corporates and organizations results in endless learning experiences for both students and the teachers, and quality internship and placement opportunities. Lastly, SDM University has signed several MOUs with organizations such as Bangalore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bangalore, Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad, Indian Institute of Technology (Chenna), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Manipal), SDM College of Engineering and Technology, Dharwad, Rotary Club – 7 Hills, Dharwad to start the Milk Bank at SDM Hospital, and Karnataka University, Dharwad. There are few MOUs in the pipeline as well which the University is looking forward to, in the pursuit of letting its students get the best of both the worlds – inside and outside the classrooms.
Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade – Hon’ble Chancellor
A philanthropist and the administrator (Dharmadhikari) of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala, Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade succeeded to the post at the age of 19, on October 24, 1968, the 21st in his line. He administers the temple and its properties, which are held in trust for the benefit of devotees and of Dharma. He is a nominated Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from July 2022. He has received multiple awards for his numerous contributions. He was awarded the Karnataka Ratna award for the year 2009, the highest civilian award in Karnataka. Under the able guidance of Poojya Shri D. Veerendra Heggade, SDM university and its constituent institutions continue to provide quality education and healthcare, which in turn, promote a very conducive environment across all the campuses, giving life to the new age of trained professionals.
