Interview with Mr. Mowafak Tawfeek, Graduate, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, First Batch of HBKU Graduates

Which program did you graduate from, and why did you choose this program?

I graduated from the Master of Arts in Translation Studies, as part of its first-ever class of graduating students. This program preceded all others at the college, and now continues to be offered in a specialized sense through the Translation and Interpreting Institute and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS). I am deeply and extensively experienced in the translation and interpreting field, and I wanted to seize this opportunity to expand my knowledge. I thought that this was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to study through this program, which is the only one in the region. 

Where do you see yourself and the college in the next 10 years?

I find TII’s mandate to be high in demand yet very unique, and I wish for the college to be even more invested in interpreting programs, owing to their critical yet sometimes underrepresented presence in the region. These programs have an important role to play and can open the doorway to success for professionals who are looking to advance their careers.

What is your advice to other HBKU graduates?

I would like to encourage anyone who is involved and interested in interpreting and translation to always seek further knowledge, and search for programs that can complement what they do on the ground, as well as find new approaches to learning.

(This interview was conducted in Arabic and translated into English)