IIIT Dharwad is an Institute of National Importance set up in 2015 in Public-Private-Partnership mode between the Ministry of Education, Government of India, Government of Karnataka and industry partner Keonics under an Act of Parliament (23 of 2017). The primary objective of setting up IIIT-Dharwad is to address the skill gap in high-end information technology and thereby enable India to retain its global leadership role in IT and allied areas. IIIT-Dharwad offers B.Tech degree programmes in Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, along with Master of Technology (Research) and Doctoral Program.

As an Institute of National Importance, IIIT-Dharwad focuses on applying IT to solve problems of social relevance to India - the kind of solutions that do not usually result from the commercial forces of market dynamics or the priorities of the Western world outside of India. At the same time, IIIT-Dharwad also adopts a semi-modern theme in its campus design and approach, ensuring that the environment is conducive to learning and innovation. The institute is committed to fostering a culture of research and development, encouraging students to engage in projects that have a meaningful impact on society. With state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated faculty, IIIT-Dharwad aims to nurture the next generation of technology leaders who will contribute to the growth of the nation and the world.