How a Jesuit Rockstar Is Shaping Students' Futures with Guitar, Code, and God?

June 30, 2025

In a world where educators often stay confined to classrooms, Rev. Fr. Denzil Lobo SJ defies the mould with an extraordinary blend of intellect, innovation, and infectious energy. A gold medallist in chemistry, a U.S.-trained computer engineer, a dynamic institution-builder, and a spirited performer, Fr. Denzil’s journey is anything but conventional. Whether founding cutting-edge tech institutes, raising millions for education, or dancing in flash mobs with students, he exemplifies the Jesuit spirit of Magis—always striving for more and always inspiring others to do the same.

Despite being 73, Fr. Denzil remains professionally active. He currently serves as Dean of the School of Information Technology at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, where he also teaches Computer Science.

Born in September 1952 in Mangaluru, Fr. Denzil joined the Society of Jesus at the age of 17. After completing his novitiate in Bangalore and Belgaum, he pursued a B.Sc. in Chemistry at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, graduating in 1975 with the second-highest marks. The following year, he joined the prestigious Loyola College in Madras (now Chennai) for his M.Sc. in Chemistry, where he earned a gold medal. He was ordained a priest in 1983.

From Chemistry to Computer Engineering

In 1986, while teaching chemistry at St. Aloysius College, Father Denzil was entrusted with establishing the college’s first computer centre—despite having no prior experience in computing.

"I didn’t know anything about computers back then," Father Denzil admits. "So, I started learning BASIC and dBase II at St. Joseph’s Institute in Trichy."

In 1987, Fr. Denzil launched certificate and diploma courses in BASIC and dBase II at St. Aloysius College. He later established the Aloysius Institute of Computer Science (AICS).

To further his expertise, Fr. Denzil travelled to the U.S. in 1989 to pursue an M.S. in Computer Engineering at Marquette University, Wisconsin. When he returned in 1991, he didn’t just bring back a degree—he brought back a digital vision for Mangalore.

Pioneering Computer Education in Mangalore

Under Fr. Denzil's leadership, St. Aloysius College established a high-tech computer section with a dedicated postgraduate department. In 1999, Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) and Master of Computer Applications (MCA) programmes were introduced at the college. In the early 2000s, a dedicated IT building was built and was inaugurated in March 2003 by the then President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Later, in 2007, the college introduced an MSc programme in Bioinformatics and an MBA programme.

In 2009, St. Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology (AIMIT) was established at Beeri, Kotekar, a town located 12 kilometres from Mangalore city. AIMIT emerged as a result of the amalgamation of AIBA (Aloysius Institute of Business Administration) and AICS (Aloysius Institute of Computer Science), both nurtured under the directorship of Fr. Denzil.

Today, AIMIT offers top-tier postgraduate programmes, including MBA, MCA, MSc in Software Technology, Big Data Analytics, and Bioinformatics.

Raising Funds for His Dream Project

When Fr. Denzil set out to establish a Computer Science Institute in Mangalore, one of the most pressing challenges he faced was funding. Fr. Denzil personally travelled to the Middle East and North America, meeting alumni and well-wishers of St. Aloysius College to raise funds for his project.

Among the standout benefactors was Mr. Prem Watsa, often referred to as the “Warren Buffett of Canada”. Through a connection at Infosys, Fr. Denzil reached out to him.

“Mr. Mohandas Pai, the then CFO of Infosys, donated ₹50 lakhs to sponsor Dewang Mehta Library, and Mr. Watsa pledged and donated one million dollars,” Fr. Denzil shares. The motivation was deeply personal—Watsa’s father had studied at St. Aloysius in the 1930s as an orphan. “This was his way of giving back,” Fr. Denzil says.

Another unexpected contributor was Fr. Denzil’s classmate, Mr. Michael D’Souza, a businessman in the Middle East. “I approached him expecting a small donation, but he surprised me with five cheques for ₹20 lakhs each, amounting to ₹1 crore,” Fr. Denzil recounts.

Fr. Denzil was appointed Rector of the St. Aloysius institutions in April 2013. In 2019, he joyfully celebrated 50 years in the Society of Jesus.

Current Role at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru

Today, Fr. Denzil continues his mission in education as Dean of the School of IT at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru.

Founded in 1882 as a college of arts and sciences, the institution gained university status in 2022 and has since expanded its course offerings. It also offers PhD programmes and currently hosts around 11,000 students, including learners from foreign countries.

“The environment on the campus is very dynamic; there’s always something happening—seminars, workshops, fests,” says Fr. Denzil. "To support growing research and PhD enrolments, a new campus is being developed in Beeri, which will also feature a startup incubation centre."

St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, emphasises both academic rigour and real-world preparedness.

“In today’s world, academic excellence alone isn’t enough. Some students arrive with 90% marks but lack practical skills. That’s why we’ve introduced bridge courses—not just for students but even for faculty,” says Fr. Denzil. “By the end of their programmes, our students can confidently code, analyse data, and solve real-world problems.”

About seven years ago, St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, began to offer an M.Sc. programme in Data Analytics in collaboration with TCS. As part of the partnership, TCS sponsored a lab and provides internships and job placement opportunities to the university's students.

More recently, the university launched a BCA programme in Data Science. According to The Week magazine, this programme is ranked the second best in the country. Plans are also underway to launch two new M.Sc. programmes—one in Artificial Intelligence and another in Cybersecurity—from the next academic year.

The ‘Rockstar’ Professor

Professors and college principals are often perceived as serious individuals, deeply immersed in books and academics. However, Fr. Denzil breaks that stereotype. In addition to his dedication to studies, discipline, and teaching, he has a vibrant creative side—he loves to sing, play the guitar, make music, and dance.

“I began to learn music during my first year as a Jesuit novice at Mount St. Joseph,” he recalls fondly. A stint in Bombay in the 1970s, studying under a professional pianist, deepened his love for melody and composition. Although he rarely finds time to strum his guitar these days, he still occasionally sings with his students and performs often at the university's alumni meets.

Dance, too, plays a joyful role in Fr. Denzil's life. “I’ve even performed in a flash mob with students in a mall,” he grins.

His Message to Youngsters

Fr. Denzil attributes his achievements to one core principle: discipline. He urges young people to maintain daily routines and limit screen time. “Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability,” he advises. “Leave the world better than you found it.”

Invoking the Jesuit ideal of Magis—striving for the greater good—he reminds youth to pursue legacy, not likes. “Your life is your own,” he says. “Don’t waste it trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what is 'cool'. Stay focused and be committed, and you will shine.”

St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, is truly blessed to have someone like Fr. Denzil Lobo SJ as part of its faculty. He is a rare individual who brings decades of experience, intellectual depth, visionary leadership, and unmatched dedication to the academic and personal growth of students. Despite being over 73, he remains young at heart—whether through his music, his dancing, or his deep connection with students. His presence is not just an asset to the university but a source of inspiration to all who cross his path.

By Catholic Connect Reporter