English Language Office

Bilkent University, Masters in Conference Interpreting Programme: English, Francais

Dear Colleague,

In light of its present status with regards to the EU, it becomes necessary for Turkey, as with candidate countries before her, to invest in training a sufficient number of translators and interpreters who would be able to serve as a bridge between Turkey and the EU countries and institutions; and also in the age of globalization, serve as a liaison between Turkey and its partners worldwide. Although the number of conference interpreters in Turkey meets the needs of the internal market, it is clear that the number of professional, qualified, bilingual conference interpreters in Turkey is insufficient in terms of the multilingual challenges membership to the EU would present.

EU institutions working in collaboration with member and candidate countries provide guidance and funds for the training of qualified conference interpreters who would be able to practice their professions in their mother tongue and at least two of the official languages of the EU.

Within the scope of such an initiative, following on-site visits and information sharing sessions, Bilkent University, School of Applied Languages, Department of Translation and Interpreting has established a Center of Excellence which cooperates with the European Commission and the European Parliament and trains highly qualified conference interpreters at the masters level.

This Center of Excellence offers a unique Programme, Masters in Conference Interpreting, designed along the lines of the European Masters in Conference Interpreting framework.

The first round of entrance examinations were held in July 2007. The Programme administration is considering initiating a second entrance examination for admission in the 2007-2008 academic year after due consideration of further applications. We kindly request that, you share this information with possible candidates who fit the profile, and disseminate information about the Programme to enable us to get in touch with individuals who would be interested in the training provided.

Bilkent University, Masters in Conference Interpreting Programme

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