Master's course in conference interpreting

A Master's course in conference interpreting is due to commence this October, aiming to churn much-needed interpreters to work within EU institutions.

Joseph Eynaud of the University of Malta, who is taking care of the course, told The Times the selected candidates would be sent to a European university, which has yet to be decided, where the one-year course would be conducted.

The course is open to university graduates in any discipline, who like challenges, have an excellent command of Maltese and knowledge of one or two other EU languages. Applicants should also have good communication skills and be interested in current affairs. They will need to sit for an aptitude test.

The Master's in Conference Interpreting is being organised jointly by the University of Malta's Faculty of Arts, the Embassy of the Delegation of The Commission of the European Communities and the Education, Youth and Employment Ministry.

Prof. Eynaud said the course was organised because of the shortage of translators and interpreters. He said the local university still did not have the necessary structures to organise such courses.

He said the intention was to train a number of interpreters who could cover local parliamentarians within EU institutions. The successful candidates might also be asked to help in similar courses, which will be organised in Malta as from next year.

A detailed curriculum vitae, clearly specifying language skills, should be e-mailed to joseph.eynaud@um.edu.mt and a photocopy of the degree must be mailed to Prof. Eynaud, Room 344, Faculty of Arts, University of Malta, Msida MSD 06.

The closing date for applications is April 26 at noon.