From the University Agenda

IGU Translation Studies Symposium: Translation Studies and Translation Education in Türkiye

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) hosted the IGU Translation Studies Symposium: Translation Studies and Translation Education in Turkey, featuring a keynote seminar by Prof. Ayşe Banu Karadağ, Departmental Chair of Western Languages and Literatures at Yıldız Technical University. The symposium commenced with the participations of IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin, Vice Rector Prof. Arda Öztürkcan, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FoAS) Prof. Kamil Kaya, and Asst. Prof. Görsev Bafralı, Vice Dean of FoAS and Departmental Chair of Translation and Interpreting Studies. The symposium started with opening speeches by IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences Prof. Kamil Kaya, and Vice Dean of FoAS and Departmental Chair of Translation and Interpreting Studies, Asst. Prof. Görsev Bafralı.

“As long as humanity exists, so will translation; thus, translation studies.”

In his opening remarks, IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin underscored the pivotal role of translation throughout history in bridging knowledge, culture, and technology.
“As long as humanity exists, so will translation; thus, translation studies. Translation is fundamental to our understanding of the world and plays an essential role in fostering empathy between different cultures. Despite advancements in technology, the human touch remains indispensable in conveying emotion and cultural context. Translation, as both an art and a science, enables connections between diverse worlds. I am confident that those who advance their skills in this field will make meaningful contributions to society.”
Highlighting IGU’s commitment to education and research, Prof. Şahin affirmed the university's continued support for translation studies:
“Translation is crucial for comprehending and contributing to global scientific and cultural developments. Our vision as a research university is to ensure that the knowledge we generate transcends borders and reaches humanity at large. Translation is integral to this process, enabling the seamless transfer of knowledge across nations. We aim to nurture not just multilingual individuals but also culturally empathetic generations dedicated to building a sustainable world. This vision underpins our educational philosophy and research priorities.”



Keynote Seminar: “The Past, Present, and Future of Translation Education”

Following the opening ceremony, Prof. Ayşe Banu Karadağ delivered a seminar titled “The Past, Present, and Future of Translation Education.” Prof. Karadağ delved into the historical evolution of translation studies, curriculum advancements, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the field. Prof. Karadağ also shared insights into innovative projects like the TECHRIT Project, offering participants a detailed overview of its contributions to translation studies.
At the conclusion of her presentation, Prof. Bahri Şahin presented her with a commemorative plaque in recognition of her valuable contributions.



Panel Discussion: “From Where to Where in Translation (Studies)?”
The seminar was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Ayşe Banu Karadağ. Panelists included Assoc. Prof. Senem Öner Bulut and Assoc. Prof. Nilüfer Alimen from Yıldız Technical University, Asst. Prof. Hülya Boy Akyol from Marmara University, and Asst. Prof. Muhammed Baydere from Karadeniz Technical University. Topics explored included the advancement of translation technologies, community interpreting, and innovative translation techniques.
This significant event hosted by Istanbul Gelisim University not only contributed to the academic discourse on translation studies but also garnered substantial interest from scholars and practitioners in the field.