School of International Studies – Professional teachers of simultaneous interpretation headed by George Chen, professor of the Institute of Translation Studies (ITS) returned home Sunday from the International Interpreting Conference 2004 & Fifth National Conference on Interpreting Practice, Pedagogy , and Research , which was held by the Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation of Shanghai International Studies University in Shanghai from November 5 through 7. The goal of their trip was to take art in the discussion based on the theme of Professionalization in Interpreting: International Experiences and Developments in China and learn about the latest development of professionalization, training and research related to interpreting in the international community and further professionalize courses in consecutive and simultaneous interpretation being carried out in SIS while conducting both professional and academic studies of interpreter as well as translator training.
The ITS features quite a few senior translators and interpreters, some of whom received professional training offered by the Directorate-General for Interpretation, European Commission. It is offering a series of courses in translation and interpretation with a variety of specialization. A new plan is under consideration to build interpreting booths in the future construction of the International Conference Center at SIS , which will benefit Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Province as a whole.
Mr. Pan Yunhe, president of the University has urged SIS to train more professionals of foreign languages with multi-qualifications on a pragmatic basis , including simultaneous interpreters and outstanding activists in the international arena. The ITS has committed itself to developing undergraduates and postgraduates who are professionally competent or both professionally and academically competent.