Kuvempu University was established on 29 June 1987 by an act of the Karnataka State Legislature through an Amendment No.28/1976 dated 29 January 1989 under the Karnataka State University Act 1976. The university is named after Kuvempu, a renowned poet in Kannada. He was native of Shivamogga district and also vice-chancellor of University of Mysore. Kuvempu's son-in-law Prof. K. Chidananda Gowda is a former Vice-Chancellor of this University. The University was recognized by the UGC in 1994 and is also a member of the Association of Indian Universities. It offers 45 Post-Graduate Programmes, 4 P.G.Diploma and one Under-Graduate programme.