| Date: | Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:12:31 +0000 |
|---|---|
| From: | Salama-Carr Myriam
|
Dear colleagues
The
University of Salford is proposing to ‘disestablish’ its School of
Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences, and close down its language,
linguistics, translation and interpreting
degree provision, on UG and PG level, over the next few years. Staff
and students in the School are informed that the activities carried out
in languages, linguistics, translation and interpreting do not fit with
the University’s new strategy and mission,
and that closure is necessary to ensure financial sustainability at
institutional level. Regardless of the impact of such cuts on the
institution as a whole, which seems to be moving away from what should
be the core mission of a University, the proposal is
a blow to the achievements of the language and translation and
interpreting community over the last few decades.
The
University of Salford has a 40 year old track record of teaching
applied languages. Its postgraduate programmes in translation and
interpreting, which are now part of the
prestigious European Masters in Translation’s Network, were first set
up in the early 1980s and the growing network of alumni are playing a
key role in the translation and interpreting profession. With an annual
average of 65 postgraduate students on its translation
and interpreting programme and a vibrant community of research students
in the field (20 students are currently enrolled on doctoral programme,
and Salford PhD holders are in academic posts in a number of
institutions in the UK and abroad), the School has
been active in various translation and interpreting related
initiatives. The University of Salford is currently leading the Routes
into Languages National Network for Translation and is a partner in the
Routes’ National Network for Interpreting.
At
a national and European level, the proposed closure represents a step
backwards and a short-sighted initiative at a time when the UK
government recognises the need to protect
languages – an indispensable asset for any professional in an
increasingly globalised world.
The
University proclaims its commitment to Internationalisation as part of
its Teaching and Learning strategy. With the closure of Languages, it
is difficult to see how this
strategic goal can be met in any serious way. With the removal of the
Languages programmes and strong links to international areas these
provide, the university’s claims to be an international institution will
greatly diminish. The strong reputation of Languages
programmes in the Middle East has influenced recruitment to programmes
across the University. Following the damage done by these moves
international recruitment is likely to suffer.
Past
and current students, staff and key players in Modern Foreign
Languages, Linguistics and Translation and Interpreting strongly
condemned the proposals for the disestablishment
of the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences.
We
ask that the University reconsiders the decision as a matter of urgency
and looks actively for ways to retain Languages within a strategy aimed
at preparing students for
a globalised labour market and society.
Today
we are calling on you for support and would like to encourage you to
send letters condemning these proposals to the Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Martin Hall. In closing,
may we express our gratitude and appreciation of the many messages of
support which have been received by individual colleagues.
On behalf of colleagues in the Directorate of Languages, and the Centre for Translation and Interpreting
Myriam Salama-Carr
Professor of Translation Studies
Myriam Salama-Carr
Professor of Translation Studies
Head of Translation and Interpreting
Centre for Translation and Interpreting
School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences
University of Salford
Maxwell Building
Salford M5 4WT
Tel: 00 44 (0)161 295 4889
Director of the National Network for Translation
European Master's in Translation Network
Chair of the IATIS Training Committee
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου