USM PENANG, 30 Sept. 2022 – With the theme ‘A World Without Barriers’, the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation (SoLLaT), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today celebrates the International Translation Day 2022 which falls on 30 September every year.

As part of the week-long celebration culminating today, a forum entitled ‘A World Without Barriers: The Role of Translators, Interpreters and Language Professionals’ was held to discuss and explore the role that translators and said players play in the world.

The forum was moderated by Dr. Paramaswari Jaganathan, along with three panellists comprising of SOLLaT former Dean, Professor Dr. Tengku Sepora Tengku Mahadi; KB Asia Sdn. Bhd. Executive Manager, Chew Keng Oon; and USM Press Publishing Fellow, Hasri Hasan.

In conjunction with the celebration, the school also took the opportunity to hold the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with KB Asia Sdn. Bhd. with the aims to:

• translate and edit books, novels or any form of written documents;
• jointly develop an awareness of translation and interpretation in the local context;
• create opportunities for academic exchanges and collaborations between both parties; and
• enhance prospects for internship and trainings between them.

Signing on behalf of USM Vice-Chancellor was the Dean of SoLLaT, Professor Dr. Salasiah Che Lah, together with the Executive Director of KB Asia Sdn. Bhd., Chew Kheng Oon.

The Honorary Consul of France, Teoh Seng Aun; the Honorary Consul of Denmark, Dato’ Lio Chee Yeong; and former SoLLaT Dean, Professor Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian, who is currently the Dean, Faculty of Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) also graced the occasion as guests of honour.

The school has been a core language service provider (LSP), especially in translation and interpreting services to the university community and public throughout the years.

SoLLaT has started several translation projects since 2017 with a team of talented individuals comprising of its own staff and alumni from its Master of Arts in Translation for Professionals programme as freelancers.

In addition, the school also engages subject matter experts as its consultant in order to produce quality translations for each project, and translation work thus far involved translating in 4 different languages: the Malay language, English, Chinese and Tamil.

The school has also been working closely with many clients including individuals, the government, manufacturers, and private companies such as KB Asia Sdn. Bhd.

Together with KB Asia Sdn. Bhd, they have successfully translated and published 8 books in various fields from 2017 to 2022.

SoLLaT is currently offering academic programmes in translation at the Masters and PhD levels, and the Master of Arts in Translation for Professionals is among the popular programmes offered at USM.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi & Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa