Thomas Thekkethala: SJBHS alumnus helping rural students with STEM education

On : 2024-07-12

Thomas Thekkethala, an alumnus of the batch of 1977 from St Joseph’s Boys High School (SJBHS), Bangaluru, has truly lived up to the motto of the school ‘faith and toil’. Deeply rooted in faith, Mr Thekkethala had a successful career as a technology entrepreneur and investor and now works as a philanthropist, actively supporting several education projects in India.  

Principal of SJBHS, Fr Sunil Cletus Fernandes SJ says: “We are grateful to Thomas for his invaluable contributions, not only at SJBHS, but also beyond its portals, to its partner schools in rural Karnataka."

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education offers students in India extraordinary career opportunities. The Loyola Technology Centre (LTC) for STEM education sponsored by Thomas Thekkethala Family’s Learn for Life Foundation and the Joy Thomas Foundation was soft launched at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School to spread awareness among SJBHS students, alumni, parents and staff of the importance of STEM education and the LTC’s programmes. 

The formal Inauguration of LTC at SJBHS was held on December 16, 2022. Governor of Karnataka Shri Thawarchand Gehlot was the chief guest.

In his inauguration talk, Mr Thekkethala highlighted that the LTC at SJBHS would serve as a pilot programme for the establishment of a network of LTCs across Karnataka and beyond to create opportunities for students, especially in rural areas, to pursue career opportunities in STEM.

Since its formal launch, the LTC has made remarkable progress through a series of innovative programmes.

During 2023-24, Mr Thekkethala visited Jesuit schools in Pandithahalli (Mandya district), Anekal, Manvi, Pannur (Raichur) and Mundgod in rural Karnataka to review the STEM resources and interact with the students and staff at each school. Based on their interactions and the support of the Bangalore Jesuits, Mr Thekkethala and his classmates of the SJBHS batch of 1977 have agreed to sponsor and volunteer their time to help upgrade the academic, library, computer, sports, arts and health-care programmes and facilities at St Joseph School, Pandithahalli. This SJBHS-1977 Social Responsibility Programme has re-connected classmates and inspired the group to make a difference in the lives of these children of rural Karnataka.

Fr Fernandes was very grateful that alumni like Mr Thekkethala were coming forward to help students from disadvantaged families. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Mr Thomas Thekkethala, Learn for Life Foundation (https://learnforlifefoundation.org/) and the Joy Thomas Foundation (https://www.joythomasfoundation.org/) for their contributions and support of these critical programmes that are uplifting the lives of the children in rural Karnataka," he  said.