The Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), concluded its 12th International Translation Conference on March 16, 2023, at the Qatar National Conference Centre. 

The conference, held as part of TII's 10th anniversary and centered around the theme of "Translation and Creativity: An Interdisciplinary Encounter," attracted 250 local and international attendees, as well as 400 online participants. Thirty experts, speakers, and guests from 19 countries shared their experiences and knowledge across a range of fields and contexts between translation and creativity, and how these are evolving within relevant disciplines and different parts of the world - through rapid technological advances, copyright policies, and political form.

The event's itinerary included a variety of talks on creativity, presented by specialists in audiovisual, literary, media, machine translation, and interpreting fields. The schedule also encompassed academic panels, professional workshops, and a showing of The Translator, a 2020 film that recounts the narrative of a translator who ventures back to Syria after his brother's capture by the Assad government. Following the screening, one of the film's directors, Dr. Rana Kazkaz, who also serves as an Assistant Professor at Northwestern Qatar, led a Q&A session.

“While it’s always a privilege to organize and host this event, the 12th edition of the International Translation Conference was particularly poignant,” said Dr. Amal Al-Malki, Founding Dean of HBKU’s CHSS. “Over the past 10 years, the TII has offered world-class education training and service in translation, interpreting, and foreign languages. But we have never stood still. Our work has consistently been informed by emerging trends and technological advances; and it has responded to global challenges  and needs. This conference reflects our place at the forefront of translation studies globally, a place where we intend to stay.”

The Qatar National Research Fund, part of the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council, co-sponsored the event as part of their commitment to foster original research in the humanities and other fields according to the country’s research priorities.  Launched in 2010, the biennial conference serves as a MENA region-based platform that gathers scholars and career professionals in the translation and interpreting field to delve into contemporary topics at the theoretical and practical level. 

“Through co-sponsoring the 12th edition of the International Translation Conference, QRDC/QNRF is pleased to have contributed in bringing experts together to discuss aspects related to creativity in the fields of audiovisual, literary, media, machine translation and interpreting,” said Dr. Hatem Mheni, Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council, QNRF.

Through TII, HBKU’s CHSS offers postgraduate programs, language programs, professional development workshops, and professional translation and interpreting services of the highest standard. An advocate for the preservation of the Arabic language, the Institute complements CHSS’ educational mandate, to bridge communities through language and equip students for successful careers as translators and interpreters.