“It is only when you challenge everything you learn that new discoveries can be made.”
Abdullah Al-Digs
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Grad year: 2021
- Program:
- Campus: Vancouver
Growing up, I would watch my father express his passion over his work in electrical engineering. When I was 13 years old, I had the opportunity to visit the world's largest manufacturing facility for medium-voltage vacuum interrupters and circuit breakers in Ratingen, Germany. I gained a substantial know-how about the industrial and type testing processes. Soon enough, I came to understand the growing demand for energy and the role of electricity and electrical engineers in meeting that demand. Subsequently, acquiring an electrical engineering degree became my goal.
Consequently, I received my B.A.Sc. degree in electrical engineering (Power and Energy option) from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver in 2015. Shortly after, I pursued a Ph.D. degree from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UBC to satisfy my curiosity for research which I completed in 2021.
My research focuses on developing analytical models and algorithmic methods for operational monitoring and control tasks that ensure reliable and efficient operation of electric power systems.
What has made your time at UBC memorable?
One of the most valuable outcomes of my experience as a graduate student is discovering my passion for teaching. My passion and enthusiasm for teaching lead me to pursue every opportunity available to teach. The appreciation and support from students which lead to receiving the prestigious Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award was extremely fulfilling and encouraged me to consider teaching as a career path.
Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
What advice would you give a student entering your degree program?
The experience of being a graduate student can be greatly rewarding. I would advise students to familiarize themselves with the countless opportunities available at UBC to explore new things, participate in various clubs/organizations, and most importantly, professional development workshops and seminars. As a graduate student, it is very important to know what you want out of your graduate degree and to enjoy the journey towards your goal. Your schedule will be flexible, so take advantage of that to acquire new skills. A few skills I find to be essential for effective research are time management, idea presentation, and writing.
What are your future plans to make a difference in our world?
Modern electric power systems are undergoing dramatic changes due to heterogeneity in electricity sources, such as energy-storage devices, fuel cells, and renewable generation. Renewable generation introduces levels of variability and uncertainty that are unprecedented in conventional power systems. I hope to leverage the skills that I have developed at my time at UBC to develop analytically tractable and computationally efficient operational schemes to achieve reliable and cost-effective electrical power systems with improved stability, efficiency, and environmental footprint.
