Hamad Bin Khalifa University Launches Translation and Interpreting Institute

Doha, April 22 (QNA) - Hamad bin Khalifa University announced today the launch of its Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII) and the opening of admissions for its first programme, a Masters of Arts in Translation Studies, starting in September 2012. TII, the first home-grown initiative of its kind by Hamad bin Khalifa University, is an international centre of excellence for the study of translation, interpreting and languages. Hamad bin Khalifa University was established to bring within one structure all of the higher education and related research at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF). TII will offer a comprehensive array of related linguistic activities, unique to the GCC region, encompassing postgraduate education in translation and interpreting, high-level language training, research, and international-standard translation and interpreting services. HE Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, President of Hamad bin Khalifa University and Vice President, Education, at QF said: "TII has been established to answer the growing need in the Arab world for a certified body offering internationally-recognised education and services in translation and interpretation. The emergence of Qatar as a top location for the hosting of international events and as a global business hub has also increased the need for high-level professionals in this field. This is fully consistent with the mission of Hamad bin Khalifa University as a member of QF, to drive forward our country s progress towards a knowledge-based society." Dr. Amal Al-Malki, Executive Director of the Translation and Interpreting Institute, commented on the significance of Hamad bin Khalifa University s new entity: "The inter-dependence of societies and economies has put a spotlight on the central role that interpreters and translators play across every sector, from presidential interviews on global news channels to the docks of court rooms, and between the lines of best-selling novels." Dr. Al-Malki also emphasised the cultural mission of the new institute: "TII is leading a renaissance of the once-legendary scholarship of Arab translators and interpreters, providing a platform for Arab researchers to make a fresh contribution." TII s inaugural programme, a Masters of Arts in Translation Studies, starting in September 2012, will equip students with practical translation competencies in the areas of business and commerce, science and technology, as well as literary and media translation, and institutional communications. The first language combinations available will be Arabic-English, Arabic-French, Arabic-Spanish, English-Arabic, English-French, and English-Spanish. Applications are now open and may be made online through the TII website (www.tii.qa) by 15 June 2012. Hamad bin Khalifa University will also offer scholarships to exceptionally talented applicants. Future courses will include an MA in Conference Interpreting (September 2013), an MA in Audiovisual Translation (September 2013) and an MA in Sign Language Interpreting (September 2015). In addition to its higher education programmes, TII includes a research centre for both theoretical and vocational research; a language learning centre, offering courses in Arabic, English, French and Spanish; and professional translation and interpreting services to meet the needs of commercial clients. The Translation and Interpreting Institute will also organise a number of local and international events throughout the year, most of them open to the public. The first will be the Translation in and of the World conference, taking place from 29 April to 1 May 2012 at the Hamad bin Khalifa University Student Center at QF. (QNA)