USB to offer translation, research internships

LAHORE : Urdu Science Board (USB) would offer the students of Urdu departments of the universities internships for translations and academic research. In this regard, the agreements will be signed soon with Oriental College Punjab University, Department of Urdu Govt College University Lahore, FC College University and other educational institutions.

National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) Director General Prof Dr M Saleem Mazhar shared this information while addressing a seminar on ‘Importance and Necessity of Translation’ organised by the Urdu Science Board on the occasion of World Translation Day on Saturday.

NLPD Director General Prof Dr M Saleem Mazhar said that the teachers of Urdu Departments should assist in the publishing projects of Urdu Science Board.

USB Director Zia Ullah Khan Toru in his welcome address highlighted the performance of the board, new publishing projects, the services of the institution for the promotion of scientific knowledge in national language and the aims and objectives of the seminar.

Among the special guests, Dean Kulya Sharqiya and Director of the Department of Urdu Language and Literature, Punjab University, Prof Dr M Kamran and Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmed Virk of the Department of Urdu FC College University.

President Dr Jameel Jalbi Chair Punjab University, Prof Dr Zia ul Hassan, Chairperson Department of Urdu GC University, Prof Dr Saima Irum, Associate Professor Department of Urdu, Lahore College for Women University Dr Azmat Rubab and Ms Zunaira Bukhari from Government Post Graduate Women's College, Cooper Road expressed their views.

Expressing his views in the seminar, Prof Dr M Kamran said that translation is the gateway to knowledge. Machine translation deviates from the original text. The importance of translation for academic development is unquestionable.

Prof Dr Zia-ul-Hassan said that there were translations in Urdu, which became more popular than the original language. “The tradition of knowledge can be furthered only through translation. Translation helps to transfer knowledge from one language to another. Translation helps in the transmission and creation of vision”, he added.

Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmed Virk said that translation is the oxygen for knowledge and literature. The importance of translation for national and social development cannot be denied.

Prof Dr Saima Irum expressed her opinion and said that Urdu language is our identity, we should be proud of our language. The services of the Urdu Science Board to make the language effective are commendable. Through translation we are exposed to new sciences.

Ms Zunaira Bukhari also highlighted the importance and necessity of translation. At the end of the seminar, Director General Prof Dr M Saleem Mazhar presented gifts of books to the guests.