Kannur University is a multi-campus public university established in 1996 to provide development of higher education in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad districts of Kerala, India. It serves the region of North Malabar. It was established after the passing of Act No. 22 of 1996 of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. A university by the name of "Malabar University" had come into existence even earlier by the passing of an ordinance by the Governor of Kerala, on 9 November 1995.
The university was inaugurated on 2 March 1996 by E. K. Nayanar, then Chief Minister of Kerala. The objective of the Kannur University Act, 1996 was to establish in the state of Kerala a teaching, residential and affiliating university to provide for the development of higher education in Kasaragod and Kannur revenue Districts and the Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad District.
Kannur University is a multi-campus university, at Kannur, Kasaragod, Mananthavady, Payyannur, Mangattuparamba, Thalassery, Nileshwaram and Manjeshwaram.
