As part of the university’s cooperation with enterprises in the energy sector, a guest lecture entitled “Digital Relay Protection and Automation: What Should a Modern Power Engineer Know?” was held. The invited speaker was Alibek Zhumabayuly, an engineer at West Kazakhstan Regional Electric Grid Company LLP.

During the meeting, the speaker shared his practical experience in relay protection and automation (RPA), discussed the current state of the RPA service, its main responsibilities, and its role in ensuring the reliable and safe operation of electrical networks.

Special attention was paid to the digitalization of the energy sector, the implementation of modern microprocessor-based relay protection devices, and new equipment used at the company’s electrical network facilities. The speaker introduced students to the company’s current technical development priorities and the operational features of modern protection and automation systems.

Students showed particular interest in real-life industrial situations, unusual cases from engineering practice, and the challenges that RPA specialists face in their daily work. Alibek Zhumabayuly also shared his views on the career prospects of relay protection engineers, emphasizing that this profession requires strong technical knowledge, analytical thinking, responsibility, and continuous professional development.

During the lecture, students had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the specifics of working in an energy company, the requirements for young specialists, and the competencies needed by modern power engineers.

The guest lecture helped students expand their professional knowledge, gain insight into the real working conditions of energy specialists, and become familiar with current trends in relay protection and automation.