On October 20, 2018, the Symposium on Diversified Trends in Language Service Talent Training & the Third Salon on Teaching Technical Communication were convened on Jiulonghu Campus of Southeast University. Chen Meihua, dean of the School of Foreign Languages, addressed the symposium. The opening ceremony was hosted by Ma Dongmei, vice dean of the School of Foreign Languages.
The symposium was themed on the diversified trends in language service talent training with a special focus on technical communication. It was attended by top scholars from prominent universities, including Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai International Studies University, Xi’an International Studies University, etc. Experts from leading enterprises in the translation industry also participated in the symposium.
At the symposium, Mr. Li Zhengren, chief of the Interpretation Service at the United Nations Office in Geneva, delivered a keynote speech titled “Skillset Required for Working in the IOs”. Mr. Li, based on his 33-year working experience in the UN, gave a general introduction to UN Secretariat structure and establishment, and then elaborated on the core values and competencies required by international organizations, providing practical suggestions on how to apply for job positions in international organizations.
Professor Shen Qi from the Institute of Linguistics, Shanghai International Studies University, Professor Han Ziman from the School of English Studies, Shanghai International Studies University, and Associate Professor Tao Qing from the School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiaotong University, gave speeches on translation planning within the context of global governance, technical competencies required for teaching translation, and the challenges faced by MTI programs, respectively.
Professor Cheng Le from the School of International Studies and Guanghua Law School, Zhejiang University, Professor Wang Hongzhang from the College of Foreign Languages and Literature, Fudan University, Associate Professor Wu Dan from the School of English Education, Xi’an International Studies University, Professor Zhang Xiaojun from the Department of English, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, as well as many other experts and scholars from top universities and leading enterprises also presented at the symposium. A roundtable discussion was held afterwards, which focused on the necessity and potential of teaching technical communication in MTI programs. The discussion was hosted by Guo Qing, director of MTI program at Southeast University.
The Symposium on Diversified Trends in Language Service Talent Training & the Third Salon on Teaching Technical Communication served as an important platform for exchanges between experts and scholars from universities and enterprises, successfully bridging the gap between the academia and the industry.
Reported by Cheng Si
Photographed by Shi Chen
