INTERPRETING labs among the finest in the UK and Europe have officially been opened at Heriot-Watt University today (Wednesday 31 October 2012).
Heriot-Watt has invested £700,000 to refurbish and develop language learning and interpreting facilities for its students, modelling them on those used in the European Parliament.
The institution is already ranked in the top ten of UK universities offering modern language courses, and takes pride in helping to school a globally mobile workforce for multi- and trans- national companies and organisations.
The expansion in facilities mirrors the university’s growing reputation as an international university, with a campus open in Dubai, and one being developed in Malaysia.
Four new labs and one self-study lab will provide students with more hands-on interaction with translation and interpreting equipment, and include facilities for the first British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting degree in Scotland, which was launched at Heriot-Watt University in September this year.
Professor Steve Chapman, principal of Heriot-Watt University, said: “As day-to-day business, politics and culture are increasingly international and global, this enables Heriot-Watt University to meet the growing demand for graduates with second languages and translations skills and help our students to enter high-value sectors such as finance and commerce, technology, and energy.
“This investment will enhance our established reputation in this field, and enable us to develop a centre for excellence.”
Professor Gill Hogg, head of School of Management and Languages added: “This expansion, together with our new British Sign Language course and the first Gaelic-English interpreting course, due to start next year, firmly reflects our ambition to continue to lead the UK in language and interpreting teaching, and provide a skilled talent pool for high-profile institutions such as the European Parliament and the UN.”
The new labs were launched at a special event for guests including representatives from the Scottish Government, the European Commission, British Deaf Association and the Scottish Funding Council.
Staff and students presented a variety of modes of interpreting in the new state-of-the art facilities with simultaneous, consecutives and liaison interpreting into and from English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic and Chinese.
Staff and students involved in the newly launched British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting degree programme in Scotland also interacted in BSL.
ENDS
For more information, pictures and video, please contact: Lynne Veitch or Stuart Young T: 0131 556 0770 or email Lynne.veitch@pagodapr.com or Stuart.young@pagodapr.com
Photocall and interview opportunities (Heriot-Watt University 2pm): The principal of Heriot-Watt University, Steve Chapman, will join staff and students as they present a variety of modes of interpreting in the new state-of-the-art language and interpreting labs with simultaneous, consecutives and liaison interpreting into and from English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic and Chinese. Staff and students involved in the newly launched British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting degree programme in Scotland will also interact in BSL.
Who: Principal of Heriot-Watt University, Steve Chapman, Professor Gillian Hogg, head of the School of Management and Languages will be available for pictures and interview along with language and interpreting degree students.
Notes to editor
About Heriot-Watt University
In addition to the 8,000 students based in Scotland, Heriot-Watt University delivers degree programmes to 11,900 students in 150 countries around the world. HWU is first in Scotland and fiveth in the UK, in terms of the scale of its transnational educational provision, which includes the University’s Dubai Campus and a network of 50 universities and colleges delivering Heriot-Watt degrees in 30 different countries as Approved Learning Partners. Heriot-Watt awards almost half of all Scottish degrees studied overseas.
The first British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreting Degree was launched at Heriot-Watt in September 2012 and is the only one in the UK on which students will graduate fully qualified and accredited BSL/English interpreters upon completion.
Heriot-Watt University will be the first university offering a Gaelic-English interpreting CPD course starting in January 2013.
Heriot-Watt University specialises in science, technology, engineering, business, design and specialised language training with a particular focus on developing solutions to critical global issues, such as climate change and energy.
In The Sunday Times 2013 University Guide
• Scottish University of the Year 2012/13 (for the second year running)
• UK University of the Year 2012/13 for student experience
• Number 9 in the UK overall
In the National Student Survey 2012
• No. 1 in Scotland and No, 4 in UK (based on responses to all questions from FT degree students)
• In the top ten for graduate employment in the UK (over 94 per cent of graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation)
Established in 1821, the university has campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney and Dubai, and is investing £35 million in a new campus in Malaysia.
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