Faculty of Languages and Translation

FLT and Engineering Students Convene to Discuss Translation in the Modern World

  On October 1, 2019, the English Club and Engineering Club hosted Dr. Eyhab Bader Eddin, MITI, MCIL, CL, for a workshop entitled 'Translation: A Broad Overview Weaving Its Threads Together'. More than 140 students attended the event at 11 am in Auditorium 4, and another 100 watched it on Twitter as it was broadcast live. The purpose of the event was to discuss the history, uses, importance, the distinction between translation and interpreting, sub-divisions of interpreting, characteristics of them, and the development of translation as an interdisciplinary science. The workshop introduced students to real examples of simultaneous and consecutive interpreting, highlighting their difficulties. He also explained how 'ear-voice span', technically known as decalage is one of the most spectacular and mysterious aspects of the profession of simultaneous interpreting. He touched upon House's 2009 terms of 'forwards' and 'backwards' orientation of translation. The Deanship of Student Affairs sponsored the event in conjunction with the aforementioned student clubs.   Dr. Bader Eddin began with a brief history of translation. His overview described how translation has become increasingly important due to the development of modern transportation and communication systems, noting that a communicative event takes place once, but with translation it takes place twice as the communicative event is reduplicated. "Over the millennia, the world has become much smaller and this trend has only accelerated in present times,” he said. Today's businesses and commercial agreements would not be made without translation. He pointed out that the Translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek at the request of Ptolemy II is seen as the earliest extant traces of Translation. The fruit of that work yielded 'The Septuagint', a work of 70 translators who, according to the legend, were commissioned to translate the Hebrew Bible, each in solitary confinement in a cell, to come up with an identical translation. On the other hand, Dr. Bader Eddin showed that the need for specialized translation skills has greatly increased with technological advancements, showing a list of recommended dictionaries to be possessed by students. Specialized translators are in high demand in many fields, especially in engineering.   Increased globalization, coupled with technological advancements, has greatly affected the field of translation. As the speed of communications and commerce have increased, the need for highly skilled translators has increased as well. "Modern translators must be able to weave both technical jargon and language that is not directly translatable into ideas that the receiving party understands completely. Moreover, this must be done quickly, often in real-time if interpreted," he concluded. A few examples were translated with the attendees as practice, giving some techniques on how to translate headlines of newspapers.   The Faculty of Languages and Translation is dedicated to graduating elite translators and interpreters who can skillfully satisfy the increasing demands of multi-lingual economies. We congratulate both the English and Engineering Clubs for their initiative under the supervision of the Deanship of Student Affairs.   Please click here to browse the powerpoint used in the workshop. Date: 10/1/2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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Interdisciplinary Sciences and Language Learning

  Faculty of Languages & Translation (FLT) Assistant Professor, Dr. Saeed Al-Surf, delivered a lecture entitled 'Interdisciplinary Sciences' at the Asir Region Directorate of Education on September 24, 2019. The purpose of the program was to explore new pathways for interdisciplinary learning. Dr. Al-Surf illustrated the value of integrating the humanities with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). "By providing students and teachers with an integrative curriculum, we will create a strong foundation leading to success," he concluded. Date: 9/25/2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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FLT Commemorates National Day

  The Faculty of Languages & Translation at the King Abdullah Road Campus celebrated the Kingdom’s National Day on 25/1/1441. The female English Club organized the festivities. The club members created a variety of pamphlets and pictographs commemorating the Kingdom's 89th anniversary.   Several of the presentations reviewed the founding of the Kingdom and followed its history through to the present day. Other student creations enumerated the Kingdom's future plans for economic and social development as related to the national goals set forth in Vision 2030 and its appendant documents. Activities Coordinator, Ms. Maram Almalki, expressed her satisfaction with the students' efforts and the quality of their work. Date: 9/24/2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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FLT and NCAAA Meet to Discuss Accreditation Progress

  On September 15, 2019, Academic Development and Quality Deanship Vice Dean, Dr. Saeed Saad Hadi, was pleased to host NCAAA Consultant, Dr. Loay Abusalah. Dean Abdullah Melhi and the faculty's Vice Dean of Academic Development and Quality, Dr. Abdulrahman Almosa, represented the Faculty of Languages and Translation (FLT) leadership team at the meeting. The purpose was to discuss the FLT's accreditation progress.   Over the summer, the FLT submitted the required Self-Evaluation Scales report. Dr. Abusalah expressed his great satisfaction with the department's work. He related that the next step is to submit the Self-Study Report, which demonstrates and provides the documentary support for each of the conclusions made in accordance with the criteria established under NCAAA standards. Those criteria include:   Mission and goals; Program management and quality assurance; Teaching and learning; Students; Faculty members; Learning resources, facilities, and equipment.   The Self-Study Report is based on a 3 prong general framework. First, specific policies are identified. Next, is a short synopsis explaining the implementation procedures followed in executing those policies. Finally, there is an assessment loop in which there is a thorough and frank review of the aforementioned policies and efforts and a detailed evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each item.   Dr. Abusalah expressed his confidence that the FLT would successfully complete this next milestone in the accreditation process. "I am very happy with your work. The FLT has demonstrated its capabilities and commitment. The faculty's enthusiasm is apparent in this room. Rest assured, that I wish to see the FLT accredited, and I will do everything necessary to assist the faculty throughout the process," he said.   At the closing of the meeting, Dean Al-Melhi expressed his appreciation to all the participating faculty members. He stressed the importance of obtaining accreditation as quickly as practicable. "I know I can count on all of you to work together and successfully complete the remaining steps. Having the department attain accreditation is one of the department's primary objectives for which I take personal responsibility."   The Faculty of Languages and Translation is dedicated to providing excellence in all aspects of its educational offerings. The FLT, its students, and alumni deserve national recognition for the quality of the program. The department is determined to secure such recognition by way of NCAAA accreditation in the near future. Date: 9/15/2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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FLT Holds Freshman Orientation

  Turnout was strong for the annual Faculty of Languages and Translation's freshman orientation at the beginning of the semester, as students received an overview of the rules and regulations, enjoyed meeting fellow lowerclassmen, and learned more about the English Club.   Although orientation usually runs for 1-2 hours, it offers the opportunity to meet teachers and fellow students and forge relationships. Understanding the expectations of a King Khalid University student is key to making a successful transition into the Faculty of Languages and Translation. Student Advisor, Dr. Dawood Mahdi, and Student Activities Director, Faisal Alfadhil, both delivered speeches focused on becoming acquainted with the resources available. Upperclassmen were on hand to help students and offer words of support.   "Freshman Orientation is a great time for our new students to get ready for the transition to college life," Dean Abdullah Al-Melhi said. "We welcome the Class of 2023 and encourage them to attend classes on a regular basis." Date: 9-10-2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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Dr Eyhab Abdulrazak Bader Eddin Gains Qualified Translator Membership

  The Faculty of Languages and Translation takes pleasure in announcing that the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), UK has named Dr Eyhab Abdulrazak Bader Eddin as a Qualified Member (Translator). ITI, which promotes the highest standards in the profession, is the only UK-based independent professional membership association for practising translators, interpreters and language service providers. It aims to enhance and continually develop the translating and interpreting profession between government, industry and commerce, the media and the general public. Founded in 1986, ITI has grown to 3,000 members and is considered a resource in the industry.   Having satisfied the qualifying requirements prescribed by ITI, Dr Bader Eddin is entitled to use the designatory letters 'MITI'. He may also produce office translations using ITI certification seals, which are recognized by embassies and diplomatic missions across the European Union. There are only 28 holders of the MITI designation across the world who are certified in the English-Arabic language combination, of whom only 6, including him, are in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The attainment of MITI is characterized by a rigorous process in which applicants are required to demonstrate their translation ability by translating a piece of text to a professional standard of accuracy. Dr Bader Eddin's produced translation, which was a 1200-word text, was deemed to be of professional quality and technically correct. Additionally, he is ISO 17100:2015 qualified. ISO 17100:2015 is the internationally recognised standard for translation services and was created to respond to the market need for a universally accepted benchmark. Meeting the ISO 17100:2015 standard sets a certain translator apart from other translators with the recognition that s/he is working to international standards. It is considered evidence that a certain translator is a professional and forward-thinking one. One of the benefits to translation service providers of one translator meeting the ISO 17100:2015 standard is to give confidence that potential translators work to a recognised standard and are committed to maintaining those standards in the industry. This also reduces the need to spend time checking qualifications and continuing professional development records of freelancers to ensure they meet the standard.   Of noteworthy mention, Dr Bader Eddin is also entitled to use the designatory letters 'MCIL' 'CL', which was conferred by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL). CIOL is the UK-based professional membership body for language practitioners. It aims to enhance the recognition and promote the value of languages and language skills in the public interest. Founded in 1910, CIOL was granted its Royal Charter by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 19 July 2005 and formally began operating as 'The Chartered Institute of Linguists' on 1 September 2005. He holds membership no. 55364, which can be verified through: https://www.ciol.org.uk/member-check/profile/55364/14737.   On this auspicious occasion, we could not let this occasion go by without wishing him continued success. Date: 9/1/2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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FLT Students Leap Into Language at Swansea University

  Seven students from the Faculty of Languages and Translation recently participated in Swansea University's eight-week intensive summer English program in Wales, UK. The lucky participants excelled in a competitive process that included a selection committee and difficult exam.   Swansea University is one of the top universities in the UK, and the winner of the 2019 University of the Year What Uni Student Choice Awards.   This language program was the brainchild of King Khalid University Rector, Prof. Falleh Al-Solamy. His Excellency Rector Al-Solamy is a graduate from Swansea with a Ph.D. in mathematics. He was instrumental in setting up a student exchange cooperation agreement with his alma mater.   Dean, Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, was pleased to offer this unique opportunity for an immersive language learning program to high performing students. "I am very proud of the young men who served as ambassadors for King Khalid University and the Kingdom at Swansea. I am certain that their hosts in the United Kingdom learned as much from them as our students learned in the program. We hope and expect these students to take a leadership role in their chosen fields."   Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Yahya Asiri, is credited with making this agreement and summer English program a reality in 2019. He is very pleased that the students had an exceptional learning experience and that all parties benefitted from the cultural exchange of our students visiting their counterparts in the UK.   Dr. Munassir Alhamami was also pleased that the program was so well received and that all efforts were highly successful. "These students deserve the highest praise. I was the on-site supervisor throughout the program. The intensive language program was difficult, and we still expected the participants to represent the Faculty of Languages and Translation and King Khalid University to the best of their ability, which they did. Their performance was exemplary, and we are so proud of each and every one."   The partnership team at Swansea is also quite satisfied with this initial effort. They were very impressed with our students and look forward to more exchanges in the future. The representatives from Swansea were knowledgeable and gracious hosts. King Khalid University hopes to hosts students from Swansea as soon as practicable.   The students who were selected for the language program at Swansea include: Abdullah Al-Shahrani; Abdulaziz Al-Asmari; Abdullah Yahya; Ahmed Asiri; Ali Al-Humhum; Hazaa Al-Zahrani; Nawaf Al-Qahtani.   News of this program was featured in a variety of publications both here and in the UK. Most notably, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).   The Faculty of Languages and Translation remains dedicated to its students, and is committed to building even more successful international programs in the future. Fostering partnerships with other institutions both at home and abroad is part of King Khalid University's strategy for achieving top 200 ranking. Date: 8/25/2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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Webinar: Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

  A university-wide webinar on the topic of 'Blackboard Collaborate Ultra' was held by FLT E-Learning Supervisor, Mohsin Raza Khan, on Thursday, August 22, 2019, under the supervision of Training Manager at the Deanship of E-Learning, Mohammed Jarallah. In attendance were faculty members from various colleges and locales. Mr. Khan provided some basic instruction for those who were not familiar with King Khalid University's learning management system, Blackboard. Mr. Khan then conducted a training session in which he focused on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. "Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a real-time video conferencing tool that allows users to add files, share applications, and use a virtual whiteboard to interact with participants. King Khalid University selected this user-friendly tool that runs in a browser and does not require Java to be installed to help support our students with a world-class communication solution."   Of note, the webinar highlighted differences between Blackboard Collaborate and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. The webinar focused on the important features needed to foster collaborative online learning as follows:   Session Menu; Collaborate Panel; Audio/Video Controls; Creating an Online Session; Utilizing the File Sharing, Screen Sharing, and Whiteboard Sharing Tools.   The main goal of the webinar was designed to give participants a quick tour of all the essential features and controls in the user interface. In doing so, participants will effectively be able to improve student learning, engagement, and interaction.   The Deanship of E-Learning in cooperation with the Faculty of Languages and Translation is expanding its educational resources to serve more members of the community and is committed to continuous improvement in all academic programs. E-learning is a vital component of both objectives and an essential educational development tool at the university and other educational institutions throughout the Kingdom.
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FLT Delivers In-Service Professional Development for MOE Teachers

  The Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education has recently collaborated with the Faculty of Languages and Translation to deliver the 2nd annual 4-week intensive English language course designed for Ministry of Education (MOE) teachers.   With this program, FLT and Al Khaleej Training and Education teachers provided English language instruction to nearly 90 public school teachers at the primary, secondary, and high school levels. The purpose of the program was to deliver an English language refresher course to public school teachers. The curriculum was geared to both beginners and those expecting to take the IELTS exam in the near future.   This program was sponsored by the Vice Presidency of Academic Affairs, Faculty of Languages and Translation Dean, Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, and Dean of Community Service and Continuing Education, Dr. Omar Alwan Aqeel. ELC Director, Fahad Al-Shehri, supervised operations under the tutelage of Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Yahya Asiri.   After passing an entrance exam, governed by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), nearly 90 students joined one of four different groups reflecting their English language proficiency.   Vice Rector of Academic Development and Quality, Dr. Merzin Al-Shahrani, attended the opening ceremony. He congratulated the participants and thanked the faculty and staff who made the program possible. "I congratulate all of you attending this program. You have wonderful instructors that I am sure you will learn a lot from. This 2nd annual program will be even better than the first, and we hope to expand and improve the effort each succeeding year," he said.   Representing the Faculty of Languages and Translation were Hassan Costello and Dr. Michael Hadzantonis. Representing Al Khaleej Training and Education were Bryan Bell and Rocio Munoz.   The Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education recognizes the importance of this program and is committed to its continued success. Dean Aqeel explained that education should be a lifelong endeavor, even for teachers.   King Khalid University is proud to partner with the National Center for Educational Professional Development (NCEPD) and other public institutions for the benefit of our citizenry at the local, regional, and national levels. The Faculty of Languages and Translation is pleased to participate in all public service and other outreach efforts. Date: 8/25/2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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Faculty of Languages and Translation E-Learning Unit: A Look Back, and a Look Ahead

  The Faculty of Languages and Translation's (FLT) E-Learning Unit had a very busy semester. Under the supervision of Dean, Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, and direction of E-Learning Supervisor, Mohsin Khan, the unit rolled out and implemented the Cambridge Learning Management System (CLMS), which has been a great benefit to our students. See article: "New Textbooks Are Key to 'Unlocking' the Potential of Our Students".   This system is highly flexible. It allows and encourages the learners to interact with one another, their teachers, and a host of online content outside of the classroom. CLMS was an enormous undertaking, and naturally, there were some growing pains. However, the system is highly capable and useful. Approximately 9,000 ELC students and 160 teachers at all university campuses were given access to the Cambridge Learning Management System (CLMS).   Given the size and scope of CLMS, quality assurance of course content is a high priority. The publishers take great pains to assure that the content is useful and appropriate for our students and have systems of quality management that drive continuous improvement. King Khalid University also has a quality assurance framework in place to ensure optimal learning outcomes and continuous improvement. The university utilizes the Quality Matters (QM) methodology for many academic and support functions.   QM is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of online educational programs. The program started with a small consortium of colleges and universities in the United States, and has grown to more than a thousand institutional subscribers worldwide. To date, QM has certified more than five thousand online courses and has provided professional development resources for nearly 50,000 teachers.   King Khalid University was the first QM subscriber in the Kingdom and has several certified courses in various curricula. KKU has won many accolades and awards for its QM efforts and course content. Our university’s QM Program serves as a model for other educational institutions throughout the MENA region. The university encourages the development of additional e-learning courses to serve our students and the community better. A QM certified course rubric must satisfy 43 international standards based on the following 8 design criteria:   Course Overview and Introduction Learning Objectives (Competencies) Assessment and Measurement Instructional Materials Learning Activities and Learner Interactions Course Technology Learner Support Accessibility and Usability   "I hope that all FLT faculty members will get involved with e-Learning to benefit our students. If you have any questions, please contact me by sending an email to mokhan@kku.edu.sa," said Khan.   The FLT E-Learning Unit conducted numerous programs for both students and faculty. These programs are designed to enhance learning outcomes for the students and further developing faculty skills. Some of this year’s programs included:   E-Learning Workshops for Students; E-Learning Practitioner Course for all University Teachers; E-Learning Campaign; Virtual Classroom (University-Wide Teacher Workshop); E-Learning Orientation for New Faculty Members of the University; Introduction to the Blackboard With Special Reference to the QM Rubric (University-Wide Teacher Training Workshop).   The e-Learning Unit also has a busy calendar for the upcoming academic year. The unit has planned a suite of programs that will further benefit existing students, attract new students, and help prepare our faculty members to better serve the university and the community. Some of these programs include:   Implementation of the QM program in EFL Teaching; E-Learning Campaign; E-Learning Day; Virtual Classroom Workshop; Student Training Workshop; Teacher Training Workshop; New Trends in e-Learning Workshop; Online Course Design; QM Alignment Concept Workshop; Online Interaction Workshop.   The Faculty of Languages and Translation is expanding its educational resources to serve more members of the community, and is committed to continuous improvement in all academic programs. E-learning is a vital component of both objectives and a vital tool for educational development at the university and other educational institutions throughout the Kingdom. Date: 5-27-2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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