On 11–18 October the FarEasternFederalUniversity in Vladivostok hosted a number of translation-related events at its scenic campus on RusskyIsland, attended by SCIT Director Irina Alexeeva. The intensive programme included a lively and thought-provoking round-table discussion held on 13 October at the impressive Sopka Conference Hall (which has previously hosted the APEC Summit). The discussion, entitled ‘Training Highly Qualified Translators’ was attended by senior figures from the Shanghai International Studies University, including Chai Mingjiong, Xie Tianzhen and Lie Lejzhun, and attested to the ongoing strengthening of ties between SCIT and other member universities of the UN MoU network. Alexeeva gave a keynote speech entitled ‘Translation Didactics in Russia: The Eastern Vector’ which was followed by an open discussion which focused on the main factors affecting the translation industry in Russia. Alexeeva also met with Sergey Ivanets, Rector of the Far Eastern Federal University, and other academic staff to discuss the possibility of establishing a translation and interpreting school at the university.
In the days that followed, more than 100 teachers from the Far Eastern Federal University attended lectures and workshops given by Alexeeva on the subject of translation and interpreting teaching methodology, the highlight of which, entitled ‘Standing up for Russian’, focused on the mission of translators to safeguard and popularise the Russian language. A lively meeting between Alexeeva and final-year undergrad students also formed part of the programme.