UQ’s Japanese program ranked second in the world

The University of Queensland’s Master of Arts in Japanese Interpreting and Translation (MAJIT) program has been ranked second in the world.

The training committee of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) recently announced its ranking of interpretation training courses around the world.

“This is a terrific coup and is a tribute to the professionalism of the MAJIT staff,” said Associate Professor Nanette Gottlieb, Head of the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies.

More than 175 courses in 29 countries were sent evaluation questionnaires, which resulted in UQ being upgraded from its previous two-star classification to a three-star training institution.

UQ outscored every institution except Tolk- och Översättarinstitutet in Stockholm, Sweden.

“The AIIC document makes specific reference to the value of having professional interpreters as teachers. Our interpreting staff Minako Kuwahata and Yuki Sayeg combine professional conference interpreting activities with their MAJIT teaching,” Dr Gottlieb said.

“We live in an age of international communication and as a result more people than ever, from different backgrounds and cultures, find themselves coming together to discuss all kinds of issues.

“This is where conference interpreters have an invaluable role to play in facilitating communication and bridging the gap between different cultures.”

Media: For further information, contact Dr Gottlieb (telephone 07 3365 6336, email nanette.gottlieb@mailbox.uq.edu.au) or Joanne van Zeeland at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2619 or email communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au).