Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, owes its inception to the foresight, zeal and the magnanimous initiative of Rev. Canon José Roberto Vaz who was the then parish priest of Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim.Born in Raia, he was ordained priest on 26th October,1944. He served as the parish priest of St. Anne’s Church Parra, Mae de Deus Church, Saligao and Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim. He was bestowed with the Honorific title of Canon of Cathedral Chapter in 1992, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Diocese of Goa. He also was the Spiritual Director at Minor Seminary at Saligao and Rachol where he left a lasting impact in the formation of the young seminarians.
Rev. Fr. Roberto Vaz along with the founder Principal Prof. Newman Fernandes played a stellar role in establishing the higher educational hub of the Diocesan Society of Education in South Goa. He obtained the permission for Rosary College of Commerce and Arts and laid the foundation stone on 15th August, 1991. The vibrant educational complex is a monumental tribute in stone to his indelible memory in the parish of Navelim.
His noble commitment towards imparting quality higher education to the youth of Navelim and the surrounding areas prompted the ecclesiastical authorities to sell off their prime land to construct an edifice for the institution. He displayed personal and keen interest in all aspects of administration, sports, religious traditions, culture and embossed his identity on the educational, social and spiritual dimensions of the institution and the parish. The attributes of a disciplinarian, being courageous and fearless, guided by principles of convictions, values, simplicity, honesty, transparency, were the enviable traits, interwoven with his strong personality and character. He was very much accessible and helpful to the parishioners and averse to publicity and self-glorification.