News

The Faculty of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University has attained the notable status of being the first college in the country to establish an academic partnership with the prominent companies behind the computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools Trados, MemoQ, and WordFast, which are widely acknowledged in the industry. This cooperation signifies a commitment to providing students with an outstanding education in the realm of translation technology. Through these initial collaborations, not only the Master of Arts in Translation program but also other relevant courses within the college will offer students the opportunity to gain knowledge and expertise by utilizing some of the most esteemed and extensively employed CAT tools in the sector.

The integration of these tools into the curriculum will allow students to gain hands-on experience with the latest technology and best practices used in the translation industry. They will also be able to learn about the unique features and capabilities of each tool and how to effectively use them in different types of translation projects. The students will also gain access to the most recent version of each tool and be able to use them to create translation memories, automate repetitive tasks, and improve the speed and quality of their translations.

Additionally, the partnership with Trados, MemoQ, and WordFast will provide students with the opportunity to gain a competitive edge in the translation industry by equipping them with the skills and knowledge that are in high demand among employers. This will also help students to establish a reputation of excellence in the field of translation and increase their chances of success as professional translators.

"We are delighted to share the news of our collaboration with Trados, WordFast, and MemoQ. Incorporating these top-tier CAT tools into our course offerings demonstrates our unwavering dedication to delivering the finest education for our students and remaining at the cutting edge of advancements in translation technology. Our curriculums are carefully crafted to align with program objectives and learning outcomes, and they are consistently assessed to ensure that we equip our students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the translation field. This partnership marks a significant stride toward accomplishing those aims." - Dr. Ahmad Ismail Assiri, Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Translation.

According to Trados' website, the company boasts more than 600 academic partners globally, featuring top-ranked universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The Faculty of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University now joins this prestigious list, with its partnership showcased on the website: https://www.trados.com/education/partners/king-khalid-university.html. Similarly, WordFast maintains partnerships with over 500 translation agencies and corporate accounts, including many Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, and institutions, although specific names are withheld due to confidentiality reasons. WordFast is also utilized by more than 50,000 professional translators worldwide (as of January 1, 2018) and counts over 100 universities, translation schools, and NGOs among its partners. The Faculty of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University now joins this esteemed network as well, further emphasizing the college's dedication to delivering high-quality education in the field of translation: https://www.wordfast.com/who-uses.

Dr. Eisa Asiri, Chairperson of the Department of Translation, expressed his excitement about the new partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with companies that offer premier CAT tools, such as Trados, WordFast, and MemoQ. This collaboration will equip our Master of Arts in Translation students with the necessary skills and resources to tackle translation projects with confidence and professionalism, providing them with a competitive edge in the job market and enabling them to build a distinguished reputation within the translation industry. We take great pride in being the first university in Saudi Arabia to establish partnerships with these leading CAT tool providers, joining numerous top-tier universities worldwide. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to providing our students with the best possible education and preparing them for successful careers in the translation sector."

Students in the Master of Arts in Translation program also expressed excitement about the opportunity to use CAT tools in their training. Mr. Mashari Alharbi said, "The integration of Trados as part of our curriculum will provide us with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with one of the most advanced CAT tools in the industry. This will not only prepare us for careers as freelancers or with top translation agencies but also equip us with the skills and tools that are essential for success as a translator in today's technologically advanced world."

Ms. Mashael Alqahtani said, "Trados will allow us to create translation memories, saving us time and effort and ensuring that our translations maintain a consistently high level of quality."

Ms. Reem Alshahrani said, "The free access to Trados provided by our university has allowed me to discover new ways to streamline my translation process. The integration of this tool into our training is especially valuable in today's fast-paced world."

Ms. Haya Talea said, "The training we received on Trados has given us a deep understanding of how the tool works and how it can assist translators and project managers in their work. It also provided us with a practical understanding of the program and helped us to avoid common mistakes while using it."

The collaboration between the Faculty of Languages and Translation and Trados, WordFast, and MemoQ has been instrumental in providing students with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in the translation industry. The program's leadership has been instrumental in bringing together these partnerships, ensuring that students have access to essential skills and knowledge.

The Translation Unit has played a vital role in making this collaboration a success, offering guidance and support to ensure that the partnership meets the needs of both students and the translation industry. In addition, the Translation Unit has contributed to the development of course materials and training programs, providing students with the necessary skills to use these tools effectively and produce high-quality translations that meet industry standards.

Overall, the collaboration between the Faculty of Languages and Translation and Trados, WordFast, and MemoQ, supported by the Translation Unit and the Department of Translation, has been crucial in bridging the gap between academia and industry, preparing students to excel in the translation sector. This partnership has provided students with the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and gain valuable experience, ensuring that they are well-equipped to meet the demands of the industry and succeed in their careers.