According to Dr Amal Mohammed al-Malki, founding dean of the Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Humanities and Social Sciences, current graduates are changing the face of translation in Qatar and the Middle East to a great extent.
She highlighted the importance of the College’s graduates while speaking to the Gulf Times about the 2018 ceremony for HBKU students.
Dr al-Malki said “The programmes have improved the translation industry to a great extent in the country and the region. This is very evident from the quality of the graduates. We have taught what quality translation means and have given a great distinction between various types of translations improving the quality of translation in the region.”
She added that this year had been a particularly significant one due to the introduction of “two new MA programmes, very unique to Qatar and the region. We are growing in number not only in students and faculty but also in research outcomes. It also leads to more engagement with the society,”
19 students are graduating this year, with 20% of them being Qataris. The college has approximately 40% of its total students that are native Qataris.
This is the fifth group of students to graduate from the Translation and Interpreting Institute, as well as graduates of MA in Translating Studies and MA in AudioVisual Translation.
Dr al-Malki added that “the most striking fact is in the diversity of the students as well as the rapid growth in the number of students and the faculty. We have Qataris and non-Qataris and Arabs from different parts of the world. Many of the graduates are already employed and this degree adds additional value for their positions. The fresh graduates who had joined the programme, stand to gain from unlimited opportunities in the country and beyond.”
