Centre for Languages and Translation Studies is being setup at UOG

Gujrat: We have decided to establish “Centre for Languages and Translation Studies” at the University of Gujrat. I thank Mr. Tauheed the real originator of this concept, along with Mr. Ghulam Ali and the galaxy of scholars who have come to participate all the way throughout Pakistan and the two scholars from Arizona University USA, and deliberated over the content, curriculum and methodology of this very nascent department. The very sterling recommendations of today’s conference will be put into practice through the Academic Council and Syndicate. The team constituted to run this department will be eclectic. Besides English Department, academics from social sciences and other languages will be inducted to constitute it as a real multidisciplinary department, representing University of Gujrat.  Intellectuals across the country will be selected to constitute an Advisory Body for this department. ‘Fellows’ will be selected and inducted from other universities also. This department shall forthwith start publishing a research journal. I once again thank all the prestigious guests who have contributed their ideas and experience towards the constitution of this vital department. These ideas were expressed by Prof Dr. Mohammad Nizammuddin Vice Chancellor University of Gujrat (UOG  on a seminar arranged by the ‘Centre for Languages and Translation Studies’ on Translation studies at UOG, which spread into three sessions. The first session was presided over by Sameena Amin Qadir Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah for Women University whereas keynote address was made by Dr. Anwar Ahmed Chairman National Languages Authority. Guest speakers included Dr. Syed Noman ul Haq LUMS University.

Prof Dr. Nizamuddin made the opening address to the house. Dr. Nizamuddin opined that the latest boks were not being translated forthwith. Translation can act as a bridge between Nations. Introductory remarks were made by Mr. Ghulam Ali. Dr. Anwar Ahmed appreciated the ambience created at UOG and welcomed the new initiative of opening so vital a department. He appreciated the role being played by UOG in spearheading the knowledge for transformation of society, creativity and national cohesion. Dr. Syed Noman ul Haq again was all joy to recommend the commissioning of such a modern department which will immensely help in integrating cultures, civilizations and nations. Dr. Sameena Qadir in her closing address expressed the need to integrate modern subjects like critical discourse analysis and pragmatics besides other important development in linguistic into Urdu and national languages. She said that a real translation is infact a transcreation.

In discussion Dr. Hamid Baig advised introduction of Urdu Language Teaching (ULT) on ELT pattern. The second session was presided over by Professor Razi Abedi from Lahore, in which Dr. Sarmed Hussain gave a detailed presentation about machine translation. Dr. Mirza Hamid Baig talked about different types of translation.Dr. Yasmin saikia and Dr. Chad Haines from Arizona University of USA dwelled on the role of Translation as dialogic practice between nations, civilizations and cultures. The third session was presided over by Dr. Anwar Ahmed in which Dr. Saadat Saeed, Dr. Safeer Ahmed Awan Dr. Nighat Shakoor and Dr. Najeeb Jamal made very valuable presentations on the subject. The house made many useful recommendations for the establishment, growth and development of this Centre.