By Mr Leo D’Souza for BISMumbai

On 27 April 2024, a group of 21 students from Don Bosco Junior College, Yerwada, Pune, had the opportunity to visit the prestigious campus of the College of Military Engineering (CME) in Pune as part of their one-of-a-kind campus visit and career guidance session. 

The CME campus with 3,600 acre area is a tactical and technical engineering institution for the Indian Army Corps of Engineers. It is primarily focused on providing training for surveyors, Border Road Engineers (BRES), military engineers, and combat engineers. 

300 from nine different schools and colleges participated in this educational excursion. An inspirational short film about the Corps of Engineers and its role in nation-building was shown after which they visited the Corps Archives and Museum, Corps Equipment Museum and CME Library. The rare collections, exquisite artefacts, books, records, maps, and other materials delighted the students. They visited the Officers Institute, which has a designated area for officer entertainment, and the Harkirat Singh Theatre, an open theatre. Students saw the  IT Wing and CTW (Cadets Training Wing), which serves as a centre for IT education and research and army training centre. 

During the career guidance session, the students were explained about a range of courses on military engineering and technology. Students were guided in terms of eligibility criteria, application form, entrance examination, and physical fitness.  The campus visit concluded with a visit to the vibrant shopping complex and cafeteria, where students shopped and relaxed while admiring the campus and its beauty away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Angel Anthony from XI Science, thoroughly enjoyed her campus visit to CME. She was delighted to learn that “the CME provides equal opportunities to all.” Another student, Amangpou Pamei stated, “I have come from the North-East to Pune for my higher studies. Coming to CME Pune and drawing inspiration from the cadets here has been one of my dreams.” 

This visit was an invaluable learning opportunity, a lasting memory, and a source of inspiration. The students praised and admired the cadets and thanked the college for providing them with a platform to learn and explore the world.