History of the Department of Energy

The history of the Department of Energy dates back to 1987. In accordance with an order issued by the Rector of the Alma-Ata Institute of Railway Engineers (AlIIT), the unit was initially called “Electric Traction.” Subsequently, the growing demand for railway transport specialists responsible for the operation of facilities involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption of electrical energy led to the development of the electric power supply field. In 1990, the unit was divided into two areas: “Electric Locomotives and Electric Trains” and “Railway Power Supply,” headed by Associate Professors M. K. Shalabayev and V. A. An, respectively.

In 1996, the Kazakh Academy of Transport and Communications was established on the basis of AlIIT and the Road Transport Institute. As part of the newly established academy, the Department of “Power Supply and Electrification” was formed, with A. Yu. Yershov appointed as its head by official order. Subsequently, a unified Department of “Power Supply and Electrification” was established under the leadership of B. R. Kangozhin, Candidate of Technical Sciences and Associate Professor.

In June 2004, by order of the President-Rector of M. Tynyshpayev KazATC, the unit known as “Power Supply and Electrification” was renamed “Electric Power Engineering.”

Heads of the Department from 1996 to 2026

• 1997–2002 — Bekmukhambet Rashidovich Kangozhin, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor.
• 2002–2003 — Sergey Evgenyevich Sokolov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor.
• 2003–2005 — Meruert Sovetovna Zharmagambetova, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor.
• 2005–2008 — Temirkhan Kosybayevich Koyshiev, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor.
• 2008–2014 — Meruert Sovetovna Zharmagambetova, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor.
• 2014–2019 — Anara Tyulyesovna Yegzekova, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor.
• May 2019 – September 2021 — Zhanybek Zhanatuly Kaliyev, Candidate of Technical Sciences of the Russian Federation, PhD, Associate Professor.
• September 2021 – September 2022 — Kazima Zhanbyrbayevna Kaliyeva, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of ALT.
• September 2022 – May 2025 — Anara Tyulyesovna Yegzekova, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Assistant Professor.
• September 2025 – March 2026 — Zhanybek Zhanatuly Kaliyev, Candidate of Technical Sciences of the Russian Federation, PhD, Associate Professor of ALT.
• From February 2026 to the present — Galim Primzhanovich Kalimbetov, Master of Technical Sciences, Senior Lecturer.

The most recent renaming took place at the beginning of the 2020–2021 academic year as part of the Academy’s structural optimization process. The physics course unit was incorporated into the Electric Power Engineering unit, which was subsequently renamed the Department of Energy.

Over the years, the unit has employed leading specialists in railway power supply. They include Doctors of Technical Sciences and Professors A. K. Ibrayev and N. R. Turgambayev; Candidates of Technical Sciences A. M. Solyannikov, S. E. Sokolov, T. K. Koyshiev, and B. R. Kangozhin; Associate Professors I. V. Kazanina, O. N. Yefimova, L. Sh. Uteshkalieva, K. Zh. Kaliyeva, and G. T. Yerkeldesova; and lecturers N. G. Stepanova, A. Z. Rakhmatullina, K. U. Galiyev, E. G. Mikhalkova, S. S. Dautov, D. D. Akhmettayev, D. K. Chirikov, U. U. Sultanbayev, G. G. Prozorov, D. E. Nurshalova, I. K. Kilibaev, E. A. Zimina, A. T. Arshabekova, G. G. Sadybekova, A. O. Oralbekova, A. Imanbayeva, D. Raiymbekova, I. Otarbay, G. Asqanbay, and G. Zhetpisbayeva.

Development of Educational and Research Activities

The development of the Department of Energy’s academic and research priorities can be traced through several key milestones:

• 2008 — The department obtained a license to provide master’s degree education in the specialty 050718, “Electric Power Engineering.” In 2009, the first cohort of six master’s students, all graduates of bachelor’s degree programs, was admitted. Since 2009, more than 74 students have completed their master’s studies.
• 2010 — The department obtained a license to provide doctoral education in “Electric Power Engineering.”
• 2022 — Admission began under the new educational program 6B07188, “IT Energy.”
• A dissertation council responsible for the defense of doctoral dissertations operates at ALT.

Close cooperation with Russian higher education institutions specializing in railway transport has enabled young specialists from the department to pursue postgraduate studies in Russia. D. G. Insepov, A. A. Zhumatova, and D. T. Shabdanov were sent to the Moscow State University of Railway Engineering (MIIT). Following their studies, A. A. Zhumatova successfully defended her candidate dissertation in 2010, and Zh. Zh. Kaliyev did so in 2011. Both obtained the degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences of the Russian Federation.

In 2016, department lecturer S. M. Utepbergenova was admitted to the full-time postgraduate program at Omsk State Transport University (OmGUPS), specializing in “Railway Rolling Stock, Train Traction, and Electrification” under the field 23.06.01, “Ground Transport Engineering and Technologies.” Upon completing her postgraduate studies, she was awarded the qualification “Researcher. Lecturer-Researcher.” On December 22, 2020, she successfully defended her dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences of the Russian Federation. Her dissertation was entitled “Improving the Efficiency of Electric Locomotive Utilization during Extended Operation under Heavy-Haul Traffic Conditions.”

At present, the Department’s academic staff continue to conduct research projects and contract-based research activities in accordance with the unit’s principal research areas. Staff members publish scientific articles annually in international journals and conference proceedings and regularly undertake professional development courses.

Cooperation with Energy Industry Enterprises

The Department of Energy actively cooperates with enterprises in the energy sector. Its affiliated units operate at the Almaty Power Supply Distance of NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy JSC and at Alatau Zharyq Company JSC.

As part of this cooperation, elements of dual education are integrated into specialized courses for third- and fourth-year students. First- and second-year students participate in introductory visits to industrial facilities, where they become familiar with modern technologies and the operational practices of energy sector enterprises.

In 2024, the educational program 6B07188, “IT Energy,” successfully passed program accreditation. In 2026, the educational program 6B07121, “Electric Power Engineering,” also successfully passed program accreditation.

International Cooperation and Professional Development

As part of efforts to strengthen research activities and improve the professional qualifications of academic staff, Associate Professors S. M. Utepbergenova and A. T. Yegzekova, together with Senior Lecturer M. Sh. Sakitzhanov, completed research internships under the “500 Scientists” program of the Bolashak International Scholarship.

The Department of Energy continues to develop its educational, research, and industry-related activities, strengthen partnerships with energy sector enterprises, and expand international cooperation. Its key priorities remain the training of highly qualified specialists, the advancement of scientific research, and the implementation of modern educational technologies.

To consolidate theoretical and practical skills among students of OP-6B07121-Electrical Power Engineering in major disciplines, a branch of the Department of “Energy” has been created and is functioning on the basis of the enterprise of the branch of JSC NC KTZ of the Almaty Electricity Distance.  On the basis of this branch, practical classes are conducted in real production conditions, as well as educational excursions for junior students.