The networking opportunities offered by Wichita State University’s engineering program lured Wajid Hassan, an electronics student from Karachi, Pakistan, to earn his master’s degree in America.

A friend recommended the college, Hassan said, but the city, campus life and proximity to professors sold him on WSU.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in electronics at the Usman Institute of Technology in Pakistan, 27-year-old Hassan came to WSU and began working on his master’s in spring 2009.

His focus is wireless networking and cognitive radio, which works on ways to allow wireless devices to share the airwaves in ways that best serve consumers.

Hassan knows this technology will take off.

“If this project (cognitive radio) becomes successful, I’m sure that I will have something,” he said. He’s not worried about his future career.

He said engineering is demanding.

“You see new challenges and possible solutions,” he said. “You have to be very smart to get to the smart solutions.”

Hassan is also involved in other ways at WSU and in the community. He is the engineering senator for the Student Government Association and treasurer for the Pakistani Student Association. He also serves on the board of education for Anoor Islamic School in Wichita as treasurer.

At UIT, Hassan was chosen to be one of the top 10 robotics designers, and, during his final year, his project was based on satellite design.

“I have always been interested in design projects,” he said, which is why he had designed robots and satellites in the past.

When his satellite project went well in Pakistan, Hassan was able to get a job as a graduate teaching assistant as an undergrad.

He has been a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers since 2004. He is also an IEEE-Pakistan gold medalist.

“This is a highlight, I must say,” he said of winning gold at the competition, which had more than 100 teams.

He was chair for the Engineering Club and was the newsletter editor for UIT’s student union. He also has several publications at the national and international level.

At WSU, Hassan works in the Wireless Networking and Systems Lab in WSU’s engineering research facility.

“When you’re involved in so many things, you get respect from your peers,” he said.

Other students have asked him for help and advice, and he’s even been a tutor for engineering, helping students with their homework and language skills.

“Students should look at me for guidance,” he said.

But he’s had problems with time management.

“When you’re involved in a lot of things, it’s hard to focus,” he said.

In Karachi, Hassan enjoyed taking walks along the seaside. In Wichita, he takes long walks down the river.

“I go for walks when I get too stressed out,” he said.

In 10 years, Hassan sees himself working in a technologically advanced field or in a leadership role.

“I have tackled real-time engineering problems and learned how to lead a group,” he said. “I have achieved what a project leader should be.”

But Hassan credits his success to his mother, who has been his academic driving force. Before college, he wasn’t very studious.

“She has pushed me this far,” he said. “I know she really cares.”

Hassan and his siblings were equally encouraged by their mother. His sister is a doctor, and his brother is a business professional.

“And only because of my mother are we reaching this point,” he said.

Because of his mother’s influence and drive, Hassan decided he would like to be involved with education in a teaching setting.