Shahrzad Mesgaran, 31, from Tehran, Iran, quit her comfortable teaching career to follow her life-long dream of becoming a hair designer. The former English graduate made the decision after hearing good things about Limkokwing University and its hair design academy.

She had already obtained a diploma in make-up in Iran. A hair design qualification would certainly brighten her career prospects.

Shahrzad is also enjoying her stay in Malaysia. “I love Malaysia as it is a peaceful country,” she says. “I hope to open a hair fashion centre here after my graduation.”

Tanzanian student Aine...aspiring to be a professional hair designer.For Aine Zehra Chagani, 20, from Tanzania, her journey to Limkokwing to be a professional hair designer is a progression after working at a hair saloon in her native country for four months.

‘While working in Tanzania, I only learned basic hair cutting. However, at Limkokwing, I am getting a stronger foundation. Now I am more familiar with hair styling, colouring, perming, rebonding and doing bobs,” she says.

International backdrop

“I am also introduced to international brand names like L’Oreal which I would use when I return home. My ultimate goal is to open a hair salon.”

Indonesian Stefani Rikka Dillani, 21, from Surabaya said studying at Limkokwing provides her the international backdrop as there are students from more than 140 countries on campus.

“For Asians, we are used to straight hair. But by studying here we are exposed and could do various hairstyles for Africans and Europeans,” she says.

Dassyana, 19, from Sumatra said she had taken her mother’s advice to pursue hair design as it is a lucrative profession.

“One pleasant surprise was that the Limkokwing campus has so many international students,” she recalls. “Now I am trained in various areas of hair design.”

Most difficult hairstyle

Shino Woon Yee Ten, 21, from Kuala Lumpur who is the thorn among the roses said he had been interested in hair design since secondary school.

Asked what was the most difficult hairstyle that he had done, and the lanky lad said it was the bob.

“However, I have my sisters to thank for. Being the youngest and only son in a family of four siblings, they have given me a lot of opportunity to try various hair designs,” he says.

“Moreover, the presence of many international students on campus has given me with the much-needed exposure to various different hairstyles.”

Noorain Jaafar, 19, a Generasi Baru student from Felda Paloh, switched her course from broadcasting. “My brother-in-law has a hair design centre and I hope to be in the same business one day,” she explains.

“The lecturers here are very helpful and Limkokwing has provided me with an international environment to know more about multinational hairstyles.”