Get to Know HFC: Dr. Ashfiqua Connie, engineer, researcher, mentor
HFC engineering instructor Dr. Ashfiqua (pronounced “Ash-FEE-kwa”) Connie has experienced the best of both worlds: Working in industry and working in higher education.
“I found I liked teaching better,” said Connie.
Engineering was a natural choice
The eldest of two daughters, Connie was born in Bangladesh. She immigrated to Canada in 2006 and to the United States in 2015. Connie, who speaks fluent English and Bengali, lives in Novi with Sikder Imam, her husband of 20 years, an electrical engineer at Ford Motor Co. The couple has two children.
Connie completed high school and subsequently earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. She attended the University of British Columbia on a Commonwealth Scholarship, earning her master’s degree in telecommunications. She later earned her doctorate in nanotechnology from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
“My first job was teaching at BUET, where I worked as a lecturer. I really enjoyed it,” she recalled. “When I was an undergrad, there were 70 students in one of my engineering classes. I was one of only seven women. But I never felt like anyone was against me. If you did your work and did it well, there was no problem. I was very lucky.”
Connie has been an engineer since 2004. She worked for SONY as a characterization engineer and later as a system engineer for GrameenPhone Ltd. in Bangladesh.
“I liked math and physics, so going into engineering was a natural progression,” she said.
A great asset to HFC
Connie has been at HFC since 2018.
“I was very happy when I got this job at the College, which is a very diverse place. I like the relationship dynamics between students and teachers. I enjoy being in the classroom,” said Connie. “I also enjoy seeing students who aren’t doing very well in class go from a ‘C’ to a ‘B’ or even an ‘A.’ That’s my favorite part of teaching; I find it very rewarding.”
Her supervisor is HFC Pre-Engineering Program Director Dr. Hassan Mohseni Nameghi.
"Dr. Connie has been a great asset to our Pre-Engineering department,” said Nameghi. “She is a well-prepared instructor and a distinguished researcher in electrical engineering. She has mentored numerous students and serves as an inspiring role model, especially for female students in a STEM field."
Teaching is special at a community college
Having taught at both the university level and the community college level, Connie prefers the latter.
“I really prefer the environment and the class size at a community college. Because the classes are smaller, you get to know all the students. They will talk to you, and you’ll learn many things about them,” she explained. “If the class size is too big, it would be manageable, but much more challenging.”
Dean Janice Gilliland of the HFC School of STEM also values Connie's contributions.
“Dr. Connie has extensive expertise in electrical engineering, enriched by years of industry experience and a strong record of published research,” said Gilliland. “She brings technical excellence and real-world insight to our students. Her calm, supportive presence in the classroom fosters a learning environment where students thrive. We are happy for her seven years of service as a member of the STEM faculty team.”