Arba Minch University has inked a memorandum of understanding with Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ministry of Science & Higher Education wherein Ethiopian government has chosen AMU to launch a degree program on Translation and Interpreting; and modalities in this regard will be hammered out in a conference to be convened at Gamo Zone Culture Hall, Secha, on 2nd April, 2021. Representatives from universities, policy makers and different stakeholders are expected to participate, informs Director of Institute of Culture and Language Research (ICLR), Dr Seid Ahmed Mohammad.

Having understood the significance of dialects and languages that foster bond between different people and consolidate multi-nationalism, government has decided to promote the profession of translation and interpreting because translators build bridges between people of different cultures, languages and races; it’s they, who translate true worth of nation’s multi-ethnic splendors and traditional ethos to those who don’t know our language. Therefore, at the outset degree program on translation & interpreting in Oromifa, Afarigna, Tigrigna, Somaligna and other languages assume greater importance, Dr Seid added.

The assessment conducted in this regard by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has found that it’s very demanding and significant course in every aspect of life. Thus, we have recognized that language plays a vital role whether you go to court, hospital or any public institutions people speak in mother tongues, hence, there is a need to develop a system where students will learn different languages and translation skills so that they can professionally offer their expertise to clients who require such specialized services.

And more importantly, we are going to introduce professionalization of translation and interpreting in Ethiopia at undergraduate level. As of now, it will be launching of curriculum in local and international languages and the criteria for students have to be multilingual and the dispensation of services depends upon the diverse needs of those approaching to learn the language and translation skills, he opined.

Subsequently, in this connection, the call given by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, MoSHE and AMU many papers have been collected on ‘The Role of Translation and Interpreting for National Consensus,’ and the abstracts of selected papers will be presented to the participants on 2nd April, 2021.

Expressing delight, Dr Seid said, we are happy to be chosen by the ministry for this important role in the country. Initially, ICLR initiates the launching of program, thereafter; it will be further nurtured by academic wing of the university.

The MoU has stipulated specific responsibilities for partners of which Ministry of Culture and Tourism will invite universities’ representatives; MoSHE links the course with Civil Service Commission so that it gains credence in the country while AMU will run the course at its campus. All partners will fund their respective responsibilities and they will evaluate its progress at academic level to see whether it serves the purpose and next conference will be launched, he added.

It’s important to note that, ICLR came into being in 2020 to focus on culture and language studies; it has 4 research units on studies of language & linguistic, anthropological, historical, folk-lore, performing and visual arts, etc.

In the course of time, ICLR is likely have ethnographic museum, mini museum on historical development of AMU, art gallery, library, archive centre, theatre, production unit and cultural band. As of now, it is in talk with national archive to get historical documents on erstwhile Gamo Gofa province, zone and woreda are also being contacted. Professionals in different units are being recruited and soon, it will have its own infrastructure, he maintained.

(Communication Affairs Directorate)