The new and permanent campus of IIT Dharwad spread over 470 acres and developed at a cost of over Rs. 850 crores in the vicinity of WALMI campus is ready. Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally dedicated the new campus during a dedicated ceremony of some key development projects in Hubballi-Dharwad, Karnataka on March 12.
IIT Dharwad, one of the six IITs set up in 2015-16 under mentorship of IIT Bombay was operating within the WALMI (Water and Land Management Institute) campus. Academic activities at IIT Dharwad commenced in July 2016 with B.Tech course being offered in three core branches, namely, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The current intake at the institute stands is about 60 students in each of the specializations. PhD program in all 5 sciences and 3 engineering departments commenced from January 2018 session and MS (by research) in three engineering departments commenced from August 2019.
The foundation stone of the new campus was laid by PM Modi in February 2019 and has been completed in record time. The Prime Minister while talking about the campus said that the IIT Dharwad campus is a prime example of the ‘Sankalp se Siddhi’ (i.e achievement by resolutions) spirit of the present government. He expressed happiness on its completion within a span of 4 years, even though many hurdles came along the way owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. He underlined that the new IIT campus is scripting a new chapter in the history of Karnataka’s development journey. He noted the high tech facilities of the Dharwad IIT campus and stated that it will act as a source of inspiration which will take the institution to the same heights as other leading institutions of the world.
Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister also lamented the thought process of yesteryears that expansion of quality education institutions will lead to dilution of their brand. This thinking led to massive loss for the young generation and new India is leaving this way of thinking behind, he said. “Good education should reach everywhere, to everyone. Larger number of quality institutions will ensure the reach of good education to more people”, he added. There are 23 IITs in the country presently.
Dharwad and all the major facilities are within a 10 km radius from the campus. IIT Dharwad is less than 30 km away from Hubbali, the second largest city in Karnataka. Dharwad is famous for its academic institutions. Dharwad is a picturesque locale positioned between the Western Ghats (Malenadu) and the Deccan Planes (Bayalu Seeme). Dharwad derives its name from the Sanskrit word “DWARAWATA.” The twin cities are well known for their culture, literature and the Indian freedom movement. The historic Fort of Kittur, where Rani Chennamma fought the British in 1824, is just 20 km away from the IIT Dharwad campus.
