Lieutenant Commander Dilna KThe University of the Western Cape (UWC) hosted two pioneering officers of the Indian Navy, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, during their historic global circumnavigation mission aboard the INSV Tarini.
Their visit to UWC this week - facilitated by the Indian Consulate and the International Relations Office - offered students, staff and faculty a powerful opportunity to engage with real-life stories of leadership, resilience and navigating uncharted waters.
“Our students were deeply inspired, especially by the officers’ willingness to relinquish control and adapt to nature's challenges - lessons we can all apply to life and career,” said Nazrana Parker, Manager of UWC Career Services.
The session formed part of the officers’ stop in Cape Town on 31 March 2025, as part of Navika Sagar Parikrama-II, a mission that began in Goa in October 2024. The all-women crew is sailing over 23,000 nautical miles to showcase gender inclusion and leadership in the armed forces.
Students from UWC’s Advanced Leaders Programme shared powerful reflections on how the officers’ experiences shifted their perceptions of gender roles in professional spaces.
“For the first time, I’m convinced there’s no difference between men and women in professional spaces. It’s about skill, drive and emotional intelligence,” said student Onkarabile Maimela.
Dr Fikile Vilakazi-Alberts, Director of UWC’s Gender Equity Unit, echoed the sentiment:“The sea sees no gender. We see clear opportunities for cross-national partnerships in maritime education, engineering and gender transformation.”
Professor Shaun Pather, Executive Advisor to the Rector, extended heartfelt thanks to the officers: “Lieutenant Commanders Dilna and Roopa are historical trailblazers whose nautical mission resonates strongly with our journey at UWC. Their presence reminds us that courage has no gender and that the horizon is not a limit but an invitation. They’ve inspired the next generation of UWC leaders to set sail toward their own dreams.”
As INSV Tarini continues its journey around the Cape of Good Hope, the impact of the visit lingers - reminding the UWC community that courage, excellence and ambition transcend boundaries, whether on land or at sea.
The crew is expected to complete their voyage and return to Goa in May 2025.
