King Khalid University

  On March 10, 2020, E-Learning Unit Supervisor, Mohsin Khan, delivered a university-wide workshop titled 'Transformation to Full E-Learning'. The workshop, under the supervision of the Deanship of E-Learning's Training Manager, Mohammed Jarallah, was developed to ensure faculty members, whether they are seasoned experts or first-time users, understand the essentials of posting documents, assignments, quizzes, tests, videos, and discussion boards. Perhaps the most important part of the webinar, which was attended by nearly 200 faculty members, was the in-depth review of the specific features and functionality of Blackboard Collaborate and Blackboard Ultra.   With the evolving public health situation presented by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), proper precautions were put in place for our teachers at King Khalid University to increase their online teaching presence. "A huge part of your success will be leveraging the technology we have made available to you. Blackboard Collaborate is a synchronous video conferencing tool that you can add files to and share your screen. I recommend that you use the virtual whiteboard to interact," said Mr. Khan. He also looked at both the 'Collaborate: Ultra Experience' and the 'Collaborate: Original Experience'. The main difference between the options – which are both offered – is that 'Ultra' is an entirely web-based interface while 'Original' requires that Java be installed.   As course content, course design, and instructor readiness are essential to implementing the best practices of online pedagogy, Mr. Khan also introduced participants to the eight standards of Quality Matters, which will ensure faculty members achieve the university's goals for delivering quality online learning. This set the foundation for the suggested online classroom model, which places focus on not just the platform, but also interactivity.   Of noteworthy mention, an adapted version of this webinar was delivered to teachers of the English Language Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Commenting on future webinars, English Department Chairman, Dr. Munassir Alhamami, said, "We plan to hold a similar webinar this Monday. You will learn best practices, available tools, and where to find support for teaching your classes online. I will be a part of that webinar and highly encourage you to attend."   The Bachelor of Arts in English program at the Faculty of Languages and Translation is committed to providing a supportive organizational climate and academic environment to ensure that teaching and learning strategies are student-centered. Ensuring our students are provided with an active learning environment remains a high priority through continual teaching staff participation in professional and academic development programs. Date: 3/12/2020 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

The Women's Scientific Research Committee hosted an informative seminar on March 2, 2020, focusing on the critical role of scientific research in program accreditation. The seminar was facilitated by Dr. Eman Alzaanin, Supervisor of the Academic Development and Quality Unit, who delved into the importance of research in maintaining the rigorous standards expected in higher education. Dr. Alzaanin commenced the session by defining program accreditation as an evaluation process in which a program of study presents its activities and achievements to an external body. In the context of Saudi Arabia, this body is the National Commission for Academic Accreditation & Assessment (NCAAA). This external body then independently evaluates the program, issuing a public judgment based on established standards of value and quality. Dr. Alzaanin proceeded to outline the NCAAA standards for program accreditation and the underlying mission and objectives that should guide all operational aspects of a program. Emphasizing the significance of research capabilities, Dr. Alzaanin noted that it is vital to nurture the research competencies of both faculty members and students. She further pointed out that the program administration should shoulder the responsibility for drafting and monitoring the scientific research plan. This includes ensuring adherence to the research plan of the institution through specific performance indicators and fostering values of scientific integrity, intellectual property rights, ethical practices, and proper conduct across all academic, research, administrative, and service domains. She concluded the seminar by underlining the expectation that teaching staff should regularly participate in academic activities such as conferences, group discussions, research projects, and thesis arbitration. Effective participation in research activities and scientific production is seen as a criterion for staff evaluation and promotion.The seminar, attended by staff members from the Bachelor of Arts in English program, along with the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics and Master of Arts in Translation programs, was enriched by a lively discussion driven by valuable contributions from the attendees. Date: 3/7/2020 Source: Dr. Amal Metwally – Women's Scientific Research Committee Coordinator

  On March 3, 2020, Hassan Costello delivered a workshop titled 'Résumé and Cover Letter Basics'. The workshop, under the supervision of Vice Dean for Academic Development & Quality, Dr. Abdulrahman Almosa, was developed to help Bachelor of Arts in English program upperclassmen and alumni effectively communicate their qualifications to prospective employers. Many of our upperclassmen or alumni often say that building a résumé or cover letter mystifies them. To address this, Mr. Costello explained that the first step is not to treat the résumé or cover letter as a formality. Rather, he related, job seekers should understand how an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) tailored résumé and cover letter can help them land their first interview. Guidance and Counselling Unit Supervisor, Dr. Dawood Mahdi, Alumni Unit Coordinator, Mohsin Khan, and 25 students attended the workshop.   As ATS software is the standard recruitment tool for HR departments, Mr. Costello framed the workshop on how students can build their 'no experience' résumé or cover letter to get past the wall of bots and onto the desk of a recruiter.   In his presentation, Mr. Costello introduced participants to their challenge as an English major – transferable skills. "Think about how what you've learned as an English major is transferable to work situations. All companies need employees with skills in writing, editing, critical analysis, and managing information," he said. He then explained how literature, and specifically our ENG 431 Novel Course, offer stimulating examples of complex material that will develop critical thinking skills of evaluation, description, and comparison.   Mr. Costello then distributed curated handouts that provided an introduction to and the best practices of the following:   Conveying skills and abilities to a potential employer with no professional experience; Writing a functional format ATS-friendly resume; Writing an ATS-friendly cover letter; Using targeted keywords.   While acknowledging that writing an ATS-friendly resume and cover letter with little to no experience is a challenge, participants were encouraged that the skills most employers report they are after can be obtained from the Bachelor of Arts in English Program at the Faculty of Languages and Translation. "Using targeted keywords matching the job description will get you to an interview. In the interview, show that you have the ability to see things through other contexts. Show them that you are flexible and adaptable, "Mr. Costello said.   At the end of the workshop, Mr. Khan announced, along with Dr. Mahdi, that eligible students will be able to put themselves up for nomination to the new LinkedIn Learning program. They both explained that 50 Students will be selected, noting that enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis. With over 13,000 courses to enroll in, LinkedIn Learning represents an exciting new development to hone the top three 'soft skills' wanted by employers: creativity, persuasion, and collaboration. Date: 3/6/2020 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  The Women's Advising and Counseling Unit of the Bachelor of Arts in English program conducted a smoking and drug awareness campaign that lasted for three days(6-8/7/1441). The campaign included lectures and workshops as well as an exhibition.   The success of the campaign was achieved through cooperation with the associations and hospitals as follows:    The Tobacco Control Program in Asir; The Saudi German Hospital; The Poison Control and Medical Chemistry Center in Asir;  Alkawther Health Association in Asir;  Peace Association for Rescue and Help in Asir;  Cosmoline Clinics in Abha. Date: 3/5/2020 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

أقام نادي The English Club بكلية اللغات والترجمة وبالتعاون مع عمادة شؤون الطلاب لشؤون الطالبات  فعالية The English Club Picnic (نزهة النادي) وذلك يوم الأربعاء الموافق ١٤٤١/٧/٩ من الساعة ٩-١٢.  تكونت النزهة من عدة جلسات مختلفة ترفيهية وتعليمية ممتعة:  - (جلسة النقاش) والتي تحتوي على بطاقات مواضيع مختلفة وعلى الحضور إختيار موضوع وتبادل الحوار حوله.  - (جلسة التعليم الذاتي للغات) والتي جمعت طالبات تعلمن لغات مختلفة كاليابانية والكورية والصينية والتركية ويشرحن للحضور عن اللغة و طريقة تعلمهن لها.  - (جلسة ألعاب تعليمية للغات) والتي أحتوت على ألعاب تعليمية للغة الإنجليزية كتمثيل وتخمين المفردات، بطاقات الكلمات المتقاطعة، تحدي قول بس لا تقول بالإنجليزية وغيرها..  - (جلسة ملهمون) والتي جمعت بين من ترى بأن لديها حديث أو إنجاز ملهم تود مشاركته مع الآخرين. -(جلسة رسم) وهي مساحة للرسم والتعبير.  حضر الفعالية ١٢٣ طالبة و ٩ من أعضاء هيئة التدريس والموظفات.  رائدة النادي: أ. مرام المالكي  رئيسة النادي: سهام العبدلي Date: 3/5/2020 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

حت رعاية صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير تركي بن طلال بن عبدالعزيز أمير منطقة عسير شاركت كلية اللغات والترجمة بالقيام بأعمال الترجمة في ورشة تقييم ومراجعة لمشروعات المشهد الحضري (الحدائق والطرق النموذجية) من قبل خبراء محليين ودوليين يومي  3 إلى 4 رجب الجاري الموافق ٢٦-٢٧ فبراير والتي نظمتها أمانة عسير وتآتي هذه الورشة ضمن مبادرة تحسين المشهد الحضري للمنطقة. حيث شارك في  الورشة خبراء ومتخصصين من مختلف دول العالم وقامت الكلية بعملية الترجمة للقاءات والمشاركات خلال الورشة وتم تكريم أعضاء الكلية الذين شاركوا في اعمال الترجمة علي ما قاموا به من عمل خلال أيام الورشة سعادة الدكتور: عبدالله ال ملهي سعادة الدكتور: خالد أبو ملحة سعادة الدكتور: إيهاب بدر الدين سعادة الدكتورة: منى الشهري سعادة الدكتورة: نوف الذيب سعادة الدكتورة: رانية مفرح Date: 2/29/2020

أقام نادي اللغة الإنجليزية بكلية اللغات والترجمة عملا تطوعيا استمر لمدة ثلاثة أيام تشارك فيه مع النادي التطوعي بجامعة الملك خالد ومع وزارة البيئة والمياه والزراعة.  وفي التفاصيل، فقد قام نادي اللغة الإنجليزية بكلية اللغات والترجمة ضمن أنشطته الطلابية بعمل تطوعي بدأ يوم الخميس الموافق 19/6/1441هـ واستمر لمدة ثلاثة أيام بمعدل ثلاث ساعات يوميا، وذلك بتعليق 50 بيت للطيور على الأشجار وبغرس 50 شتلة من نبات السدر في منتزه دلغان وهو أحد منتزهات منطقة عسير.  وقد تم هذا العمل التطوعي بالشراكة مع النادي التطوعي بجامعة الملك خالد بريادة الأستاذ/ ياسر السالمي وبالتعاون مع وزارة البيئة والمياه والزراعة وبحضور سعادة مدير إدارة منتزهات منطقة عسير المهندس/ مريح الشهراني.  وقد جاء هذا العمل تحقيقا لشعار فريق العمل التطوعي بنادي اللغة الإنجليزية أثر يبقى.

ضمن أنشطتها الطلابية ، وبرعاية من سعادة عميد كلية اللغات والترجمة الدكتور/ عبد الله آل ملهي ووكيل الكلية الدكتور/ يحيى عسيري أقامت كلية اللغات والترجمة حفلا تم فيه استقبال للطلاب المستجدين في الكلية وأيضا تم فيه تكريم للطلاب المتوفقين في الفصل الدراسي الأول للعام 1440/1441.  وفي التفاصيل فقد أقامت كلية اللغات والترجمة ممثلة في نادي اللغة الانجليزية يوم الثلاثاء الموافق 1441/6/10 الساعة 11:00ص  حفلا تم فيه الترحيب والاستقبال للطلاب المستجدين في الكلية والبالغ عددهم تقريبا 150 طالب مستجد. كما تم أيضا تكريم الطلاب المتوفقين الحاصلين على تقدير ممتاز مرتفع في الفصل الدراسي الأول للعام 1440/1441ه وقد بلغ عددهم تقريبا 49 طالب متفوق. وقد بدأ الحفل بآيات كريمة من القرآن الكريم تلاها عرض مرئي بالأنشطة التي نظمها ونفذها نادي اللغة الانجليزية في الفصل الدراسي الأول. جاء بعده كلمة سعادة عميد الكلية الدكتور عبد الله آل ملهي. وقد رحب سعادته بالطلاب المستجدين وحثهم على الجد والاهتمام والحرص والمواظبة وبارك أيضا للطلاب المتفوقين تفوقهم. بعد ذلك ألقى المرشد الأكاديمي للكلية الدكتور/ داوود مهدي كلمة رحب فيه بالطلاب المستجدين وبين لهم بعض التوجيهات والارشادات التي يحتاجونها خلال مسيرتهم الجامعية وبارك أيضا بدوره للطلاب المتفوقين. ثم تحدث وكيل الكلية للتطوير والجودة الدكتور/ عبد الرحمن الموسى عن رابطة الخريجين وبعض أنشطتها وأهدافها وأهميتها للطلاب كما رحب الدكتور الموسى بالمستجدين في بداية كلمته وأنهاها بالمباركة للطلاب المتفوقين. بعد ذلك كانت كلمة رائد النشاط الطلابي بالكلية الأستاذ خالد القاسمي ، وقد تطرق لعدة أمور ابتدأها بالترحيب بالطلاب المستجدين وحثهم على الجد والاجتهاد والانضباط ، وقد تحدث في كلمته عن نادي اللغة الانجليزية بكلية اللغات والترجمة وما يقدمه من أنشطة طلابية متنوعة ، ثم بين كيفية التسجيل بالنادي وحث الطلاب على المشاركة في الأنشطة الطلابية والاستفادة منها. وأنهى كلمته بالمباركة للطلاب المتفوقين وحثهم على الاستمرار في تفوقهم. وقد تم في آخر الحفل تكريم الطلاب المتفوقين ومنحهم شهادات تفوق تشجيعا لهم ولزملائهم المستجدين على التفوق والحصول على معدلات مرتفعة في دراستهم. قائمة باسماء الطلبة المتفوقين (ممتاز مرتفع) الفصل الأول محمد عبدالله ظافر الشهري أنس بن محمد بن فاضل الليلحي الشهري عوض بن ناصر بن عوض القحطاني عبد الرحمن بن منير بن فلحان المرزوقي البقمي عبدالعزيز بن علي بن محمد الشهري فهد  عبدالله  موسى  الزهراني أنس بن عبدالله بن خضران العمرى عبدالعزيز بن جبران بن حامد آل سريع القحطاني ابراهيم بن سالم بن مفرح القاعي المالكي عبدالإله  بن مرزن  بن عوضه  آل ثابت  الشهراني احمد بن عبدالله بن احمد ال حزمه الشهري محمد بن سعيد بن منصور آل عباس عسيري عبدالله بن جحلان بن موسى الشهراني محمد بن عائض بن ناصر آل الشعبي العسيري فهد بن علي بن أحمد آل مجود الشهراني حسن مرعي علي الربعي عبداالله خالد عبدالله الهازمي عبدالله بن سعيد بن عبدالله يحيي خالد بن علي بن سلمان الشراحيلي الفيفي اسامة بن يحيى بن محمد الربعي مهند بن محمد بن غرم الله آل سعدالله الغامدي عبدالعزيز سعيد عبدالله  الشهراني عبدالرحمن بن امحمد بن علي ابراهيم عسيري ريان بن يحيى بن علي رديف عبدالعزيز بن خالد بن عبدالعزيز آل عامر حسن بن عوض بن مسفر  الحسني الزهراني أحمد بن محمد بن أحمد الجندبي عسيري عوض بن عامر بن حسن ال يعلى الشهري طاهر علي عبدي أأ سعود بن سعيد بن جارالله الشهراني فارس بن أحمد بن موسى مشافي وائل بن سليمان بن أحمد مدري الفيفي عبدالعزيز علي محمد الشهري مشعل بن محمد بن عبدالرحمن البشري عبدالرحيم بن علي بن عبدالرحمن ال فرحان الشهري محمد بن سعد بن حمود البحيري القرني فؤاد محمد فياض حسين عبدالاله بن علي بن عبدالله ال مداوي القحطاني عاصم يحي عيسى عسيري علي بن يحي بن محمد المحجوبي الشهري عبدالاله بن ابراهيم بن حسين دحموس عبدالله حسن عبدالله آل ناصر مهند بن سعد بن مشبب آل صلام عسيري خالد بن مرعي بن علي آل عوضه الاحمري فارس ابراهيم عداوي اليحياوي ريان بن حسن بن جبار الفيفي سلطان ناصر يحي عسيري فيصل محمد محمد عسيري عبدالسلام طاهر عبدالماجد حمزه     For a list of "Alumni" on the "Honors List", please (click here). Date: 2/10/2020 Source: Dr. Munassir Alhamami

  Vice Dean of Academic Development and Quality, Dr. Abdulrahman Almosa, sponsored a training seminar for the Bachelor of Arts in English program titled 'Creating and Assessing Learning Outcomes' on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The event was co-sponsored by the Deanship of Academic Development and Quality. In attendance were nearly 50 course coordinators from numerous campuses. It is worth noting that both male and female team members attended the event at Saudi German Hospital.   Dr. Abdul Wahed Al Zumor began the event by presenting on the purposes and requirements of developing course learning outcomes and the relevance of this move to the educational aspirations of the Kingdom, as stated in Vision 2030. He stressed the need to shift the focus from content-based education to outcome-based education. When comparing both forms of education, Dr. Al-Zumor explained that content-based learning is dependent mainly upon mastery of course material content. In contrast, outcomes-based education goes beyond mastery of content and into constructing knowledge and skills by the students themselves with guidance from instructors. "Outcomes-based education is part and parcel to the SAQF Level 7 Descriptors and the three domains in which they are in," he said. There was a call to action at the conclusion of his presentation to align course learning outcomes and the program learning outcomes with the SAQF framework.   Dr. Eman Alzaanin, Supervisor of the Academic Development and Quality Unit, expounded upon the fundamentals of outcomes-based education. Dr. Alzaanin emphasized the need to create an aligned curriculum where the intended learning outcomes, the learning activities and resources, and the assessment tasks and criteria are all aligned to enhance students' attainment of the intended learning outcomes at the course and programme level. She walked the participants through an exercise designed to activate the ability to spot the extent of alignment between course intended learning outcomes and written assessment tasks. "We do not want students just to learn what they think they will be tested on. By ensuring that assessment tasks mirror intended learning outcomes, the curriculum will be accurately reflected," she noted. Dr. Alzaanin also introduced a checklist to evaluate and ensure the quality of assessment in three phases: designing of the assessment, marking and verification, and review and recommendations. "This will ensure that the teaching activities of the instructor and learning activities of the student are heading in the same direction," she concluded. The end of Dr. Alzaanin's session was quite active, with a proposal put forward towards modifying the assessment structure in use.   The FLT is grateful to the Deanship of Academic Development and Quality for its co-sponsorship of the event and Quality Consultant, Dr. Ahmed Farid, for his brief explanation of benchmarking and measuring course learning outcomes along with assessments. "Thank you all for giving up part of your weekend to attend this most important event. We will begin the process of revising course learning outcomes in the near future," said Dr. Almosa.   The Faculty of Languages and Translation is dedicated to providing excellence in all aspects of its educational offerings.   Date: 2/8/2020 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  Dr. Adel Bahameed spoke on the subject of Translating Songs and Poems at a seminar organized by the Language Research Center for the Bachelor of Arts in English program on January 29, 2020. The presentation centered on the challenges involved in translating songs and poems.   The main objective of his research, Dr. Bahameed says, was to refresh translation studies with regard to the possibility of translating songs and poems.   Dr. Bahameed, based on his research, describes 'translating songs and poems' as a challenging task. "There has been a long controversy over whether songs and poems can be really translated or not", states Dr. Bahameed. He mentions a famous Arab singer Abu Bakr Salem and a famous Arab poet Hussein Al-Mihdar and how their works have been translated. While translating a song, he adds, the translator must pay attention to rhythm, rhyme, prosody, music and the culture. Some translators, while translating, only focus on forms, and some, on the other hand, give priority to content over form. He states that the translator should preferably be a poet so that he/she can appreciate the poetic text in hand.   Dr. Adel Bahameed concluded that Arabic poems are translatable, but the translation process is complicated. However, Arabic songs are untranslatable because of the extra dimension of music, which is beyond the translator's control.   The seminar was very interactive, engaging, and a great success. It is worth mentioning that King Abdullah Road Campus also attended the seminar. Date: 1/30/2020 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique