With APOGEE 2024 around the corner, Varun Sajja, the coordinator of the Department of Firewallz, sat down with the APOGEE English Press to talk about their work during the fest. 

The Department of Firewallz is mainly concerned with the registration process, and is the first point-of-contact for any visitor during all the fests. They handle the coordination of all the visitors, participants, food stall staff, vehicles, and sponsors..

They coordinate with the campus guards for security checks of participants. They also handle payments and the related procedures in collaboration with the Department of Controls, while the database for participant registrations and forms is maintained by the Department of Visual Media) through a website. They are also responsible for maintaining a sound environment for the smooth functioning of the fests by looking out for any illegal activities, substance abuse or other malpractices, and reporting it to the appropriate authorities. They issue temporary identification cards to visitors, participants, food stall staff, and sponsors to make an account of the people on campus.

Varun mentioned that most of the department’s work happens after the mid-semester exams. This involves designing the forms for participants, and the banners for their booth.

Varun stated that the preparations had gone  smoothly and that there were no major setbacks. He described his experience as coordinator as being ‘great.’ Concluding the interview, he said, `Firewallz shines the most during fests as it is the most active then.´