NCC YEP Cadets Visit EKTU, Oskemen Heritage Sites in Kazakhstan Exchange

The Indian National Cadet Corps’ Youth Exchange Programme delegation in Kazakhstan spent a full day in Oskemen, East Kazakhstan, taking part in academic, cultural and technology-focused engagements that highlighted the programme’s role in building closer ties between young people from India and Kazakhstan.

A key stop during the visit was East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU), where the NCC cadets met the university’s Vice Rector and exchanged mementos. The interaction served as a formal gesture of goodwill while also opening space for stronger educational linkages and greater cooperation between the two sides.

At EKTU, the delegation was introduced to the institution’s academic and technological ecosystem through visits to several advanced laboratories. The exposure gave the cadets a closer look at contemporary research settings and the practical use of modern technology within a university environment.

The visit also included a session at the university’s AR/VR Gaming Room, where the cadets took part in a practical simulation. The immersive activity offered first-hand experience of emerging technologies and showed how augmented and virtual reality can be applied beyond entertainment, including in learning and technical training environments.

Alongside the technology-focused engagements, the Indian delegation also explored the historical and cultural side of East Kazakhstan. At the Archaeological Museum of EKTU, the cadets were introduced to the region’s past, its cultural traditions and its archaeological heritage. The museum visit helped place the cadets’ exchange experience within a broader understanding of the area’s historical development.

The programme in Oskemen extended beyond the university campus. The cadets undertook a walk through the city’s historic landmarks, adding a heritage dimension to the day’s activities. During this tour, they visited Oskemen’s War Memorial, where they paid tribute to the sacrifice and valour of those who had served their nation.

Taken together, the engagements in Oskemen combined classroom exposure, technological demonstrations, cultural learning and historical reflection. For the NCC delegation, the day offered a varied international experience rather than a routine ceremonial visit, allowing cadets to engage with Kazakhstan through institutions, heritage and shared commemorative spaces.

The Youth Exchange Programme is intended to give NCC cadets opportunities to interact with young people from other countries, understand different cultures and traditions, and broaden their perspective on international friendship and cooperation. The Oskemen visit reflected those aims clearly, bringing together educational interaction, cultural discovery and shared experiences.

The engagements also contributed to wider people-to-people contact between India and Kazakhstan. While the Indian cadets gained exposure to local history, academic institutions and new technologies, they also had the opportunity to share their own culture and perspectives with their Kazakh counterparts.

By the end of the day, the Oskemen leg of the visit had delivered a mix of learning, exchange, exploration and camaraderie, reinforcing the friendly relationship between India and Kazakhstan through direct youth engagement.