Scholarships set up for translators

A deal has been struck to provide scholarships so translators can sharpen their skills in a bid to boost translation industry in Arab world.

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The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and three leading educational institutions have struck a deal to provide translators with scholarships so they can sharpen their skills. A total of 30 scholarships will be offered to professional translators applying for master's degree courses at the American University in Sharjah, Algeria's High Institute for Translation and the Jordanian University in Amman.

The initiative is the latest element of the Foundation's effort to boost the translation industry across the Arab world. Other projects include the "tarjem" scheme, in which 1,000 best-selling books will be translated into Arabic within three years. The foundation has arranged for 20 scholarships to be offered at Algeria's High Institute for Translation with five more offered at the American and Jordanian universities.

"The foundation is keen to work closely with its strategic partners, including leading regional universities, to achieve our overarching goal of boosting the knowledge capabilities across the Arab world," said Ali al Shaali, the director of publishing at the foundation's culture section. "Translation is not like other professions that involve teamwork. It is a unique industry that solely depends on the translator's professional skills and intellectual capabilities.

"While seeking to accelerate knowledge transfer processes, the foundation's master's programme will help translators sharpen their skills, resulting in enhanced quality within shorter timelines." Scholarship applicants must be professional translators who are of Arab nationality with "substantial years of experience" in the field. Those interested might be asked to provide proof of financial need, the foundation said.

The foundation was established in May 2007 by Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. chamilton@thenational.ae