Four students hone simultaneous translation skills in Oman
A UNIVERSUM+ Competence Development Center’s program provides internship at Sultan Qaboos University.
“This program, which started in November, was prepared by specialists from the Department of Arabic, Islamic, African and Asian Studies of the Institute of International Relations, History and Oriental Studies of KFU together with the head of the Al-Khadara Center for Arabic Language at the request of the Offiice of the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan and with the grant support of the Social Initiatives Development Fund. Vice-Rector for International Affairs Timirkhan Alishev signed a cooperation agreement with Sultan Qaboos University during his visit to Oman in February 2024,” said Nailya Mingazova, Chair of the Department of Arabic, Islamic, African and Asian Studies.
The internship at Sultan Qaboos University began on January 12 and will last until February 6.
“The main focus during the internship is on spoken translation. Four interns who went to Oman practice simultaneous translation from Russian to Arabic, from English to Arabic and from Arabic to English,” Mingazova specified.
One of the participants in the program aimed at expanding theoretical knowledge and practical skills is Kirill Klochkov.
“I started learning Arabic in 2019 when I enrolled in the bachelor’s program. I did my first language internship in 2023 in the United Arab Emirates, where I was able to immerse myself in the language environment and analyze what I had learned over several years at the university. My next internship was in 2024 in the Sultanate of Oman, a country that still remains a mystery to me. Even during my first visit, I realized that I would return, especially since I have many friends here,鈥� said he. As for the practical experience, he noted, 鈥淭here once was an urgent need for an Arabic translator for an informal meeting between the Minister of Education of Tatarstan and the Ambassador of Mauritania to Russia. Then they invited me. In addition, I accompanied delegations from Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman at official events, and did consecutive translation and chuchotage at bilateral meetings and negotiations. I always wanted to try myself in simultaneous translation, but I understood that this required special training.鈥�