Kannur University, the youngest of the five multi-disciplinary, affiliating universities in Kerala, came into existence by the name "Malabar University" on November 9, 1995 through a promulgation of an ordinance by the Governor of Kerala. Subsequently, as per the Act 22 of 1996 of Kerala Legislative Assembly, it was inaugurated as Kannur University on March 2, 1996.
The Kannur University Act 1996 aimed to establish in the state of Kerala, a teaching, residential and affiliating University, promoting the development of higher education in Kasaragod and Kannur districts and the Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad District.