The APOGEE English Press recently interviewed Parth Hande, the coordinator of the Mechanical Engineering Association (MEA), to learn more about the events they had planned for this edition of APOGEE.

Parth began by stating that MEA is autonomous in its functions, including their work concerning the fest, despite being a departmental association. Parth explained that the association would be hosting two events this APOGEE, namely CAD-athon and Battle of Waterloo. In the former, participants would be given a problem statement that they would have to create a solution for using Fusion 360. This event will be sponsored by AutoDesk.

Parth elucidated that Battle of Waterloo would be held in two phases. On the first day, a four to five hours-long workshop would be held. On the second day, participants would build their own styrofoam boats and race them against each other. He added that attending the workshop was not necessary and that participants could build boats according to their specifications as long as ‘they could float and steer’.

Parth elaborated that the MEA conducts the same set of events every year. The way they were organised, however, kept changing. He claimed that this ‘creative process’ is what motivated him to apply for a position of responsibility within the association. Despite some hurdles—such as the budget cuts this year—he hoped to maintain the quality of the MEA’s events. 

As a concluding remark, Parth shared that his friends participating in APOGEE from other universities were always puzzled by how BITSians continuously seemed to downgrade themselves despite having great talent and facilities on campus. He encouraged the GBM to learn about the efforts that go behind organising APOGEE to truly appreciate it.