King Khalid University
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King Khalid University Celebrates International Translation Day with 6 Specialized Workshops and 3 Panel Discussions
King Khalid University - General Administration of Institutional Communication
As part of its celebration of International Translation Day, King Khalid University, represented by the College of Languages and Translation, and in cooperation with the Deanship of Electronic Services, organized a series of events focused on enhancing the role of translation as a pivotal tool for intercultural communication and knowledge exchange, under the slogan "We Translate Without Limits”. The event, which was held at the central library in Al-Fara'a, witnessed a wide attendance of academics, and students of the College of Languages and Translation.
The Dean of the College of Languages and Translation, Dr. Ahmed Ismail Asiri, opened the meeting with a speech in which he affirmed that translation is not merely a process of converting text from one language to another, but rather a civilizational bridge that has contributed to the transfer of science and knowledge between peoples throughout the ages. He pointed out that translation has been and continues to be a primary factor in the development of civilizations, as it has enabled people to transfer and exchange ideas and knowledge between nations, leading to the enrichment of the world's scientific and cultural heritage. He continued, saying: "The sciences of other nations have been transmitted to us through translation, and similarly, Arab Islamic civilization has transmitted its sciences and knowledge to the world thanks to translators who realized the importance of transferring knowledge and simplifying it to be accessible to all."
Dr. Asiri indicated that King Khalid University, through the College of Languages and Translation, bears a great responsibility in preparing and qualifying a generation of translators who can keep pace with the developments of the age, not only linguistically, but also through understanding the technological developments that have become an integral part of the modern translation process. He pointed out that the college works in an integrated manner with the university's strategic plan, which comes in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Asir Development strategy, with the aim of developing educational outputs and enhancing social responsibility. He also emphasized that the college is committed to providing educational programs that align with the needs of society and the job market, and strives to provide quality education that qualifies students to be leaders in their fields. It also strives to design unique educational programs that allow students to delve deeper into the sciences of translation and provide them with the technical skills that ensure their ability to deal with the requirements of the job market.
During his speech, he announced a new partnership with the "PHRASE TMX" program, one of the advanced programs in translation project management and machine translation, which will enable students to access the latest technical tools in this field, opening up new horizons for them to excel and innovate. The dean concluded his speech by expressing his gratitude to all those who contributed to organizing this event, and he extended a special thanks to the participating students and translators, affirming that they represent the future of translation in the Kingdom and that the university is putting all its capabilities to support them in their professional careers.
For his part, the Head of the Translation Department at the College of Languages and Translation at the university, Dr. Issa Ahmed Asiri, indicated that the event included three panel discussions presented by a group of specialists in translation studies, where a number of important topics were discussed, such as the academic, research, and community efforts exerted by the College of Languages and Translation at the local and regional levels. The sessions also touched on the essential skills that translators need to succeed in the job market, and showcased the inspiring national contributions of the department's students.
Dr. Asiri explained that the event included six interactive training courses, in which the faculty members of the Translation Department presented the latest specialized and scientific developments in the field of translation studies. These courses included vital topics such as tourism translation, oral translation in the tourism sector, translation techniques, localization of electronic games, translation and artificial intelligence, and academic skills for translators. He added that the participants received free subscriptions from global companies specializing in digital solutions for translators.
The aim of organizing this event, which coincides with International Translation Day, is to enhance the quality of education and learning in the field of translation, stimulate scientific research, as well as provide opportunities for faculty members and students to participate in the community, and to affirm that translation represents a fundamental bridge for intercultural communication. It also reflects the university's pursuit of developing the scientific and practical skills of its students and opening new horizons for them by keeping abreast of the latest developments in various fields, through working to provide the optimal environment for graduating cadres capable of making an effective contribution to transferring Saudi culture and knowledge to the world.