The National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, formerly known as KREC, is a premier autonomous university along the western shores of India. It was founded in July 1960, as a joint venture between the Government of Karnataka and the Government of India, originally under the name Karnataka Regional Engineering College, Surathkal (KREC). Today, it is one of 18 National Institutes of Technology in India and is recognized as an Institute of National Importance.