SCIT – News

Transfer concepts and communicative practices – in the focus of Johannes Guttenberg university conference

11 April 2017|

On 6 and 7 of April the University of Johannes Guttenberg in Mainz – an international partner of Herzen University – held a conference which brought together specialists in Slavonic, Romance and Germanic studies. Herzen university was represented by Irina Alexeeva, SCIT director. Her presentation on Russian as a mediator language in teaching translation and interpretation with Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Turkmen languages drew a wide response from the audience. Within the frame of the cooperation agreement between SCIT and Johannes Guttenberg university the partners also are planning to organize a series of virtual T&I conferences.

MSLU delegation visiting SCIT

10 April 2017|

On 31 March a representative delegation of Moscow State Linguistic University visited SCIT on the recommendation of E. Pokholkova, Dean of MSLU T&I Department.

Irina Shokina, Chair of ESL, and Elena Bovarova, trainer of simultaneous interpretation, acquainted themselves with SCIT facilities and had a talk with the SCIT administration. The colleagues learned about SCIT’s activities, and both parties are eager to broaden the cooperation.

All thumbs up to Polina Volkova!

21 March 2017|

On 17 March 2017 г. the Humanities Institute of St. Petersburg Polytechnical University (SPU) held the first international interpretation competition for students. The organizers are Maria Stepanova, SPU, and Boris Naimushin (New Bolgarian University, Sofia).

The first prize went to Polina Volkova, SCIT student (64 points), the runners-up with 63 points were Alexander Kussul (SPU) and Arthur Khaidarov (Herzen university), the third place with 57 points was shared by Alexander Verkhoglyadov (SPU) and Nikita Yakovenko (Herzen university). Congratulations to the laureates!

UN duet educate interpreters

21 March 2017|

March was marked by a lengthy three-week visit of Mikhail Kuzmenko, RTS Senior Reviser, UNOG. In addition to regular daily classes in institutional translation, Mikhail and Debra Zhanna Benard, his UN colleague, gave two excellent master-classes in Human rights at the UN.

Master-classes by Liam Long

21 March 2017|

From 13-17 of March 2017 SCIT hosted Liam Long, Senior Interpreter of DG SCIC, European Commission. Liam arrived at SCIT to participate in the aptitude tests as an observer, but found time to hold intensive training sessions in English and French with this year’s students. He held 9 master classes in consecutive and simultaneous interpretation. We heartily thank Liam for his extraordinary industry and great contribution to the training process at SCIT.

Invaluable professional experience

21 March 2017|

It has become a tradition for SCIT students and trainers to hold a yearly meeting with Prof. Boris Naimushin, New Bulgarian University, Sofia, where the experienced interpreter shares professional expertise with the SCIT youth. Up to this day Boris Naimushin has interpreted Bulgaria’s top public officials. Prof. Naimushin’s lecture took place on 16 March.

Aptitude tests over

21 March 2017|

Last week at SCIT was dedicated to the aptitude tests. The international experts from partner-organizations acted as observers, among them were Mikhail Kuzmenko, RTS Senior Reviser at UNOG, Noel Muylle, Honorary Director General of the European Commission, and Liam Long, Senior Interpreter at DG SCIC, EC. The tests were also attended by heads of partner translation agencies, William Hackett Jones (Eclectic Translations, St. Petersburg) and Vladimir Shebanov (Roid, Moscow).

The best candidates were recommended for enrollment. Additional aptitude tests are possible in June.

SCIT Opens Doors on First Spring Day

2 March 2017|

On 1 March SCIT opened its doors to the potential applicants or anyone interested in its activities. Director Irina Alexeeva and Deputy director Angelique Antonova gave advice regarding the pending aptitude tests. SCIT trainers Ekaterina Shutova, Sergey Afonin and Anastasia Gvrilina also attended the event and spoke to the participants. Tatiana Shikhmatova, a recent graduate, shared her impressions of working in the Russian Verbatim Reports Section in UNHQ in New York. Another graduate Anastasia Zausskaya told about her experience on the domestic T&I market. Today’s students commented on their SCIT studies, too.

Master classes on the Volga

22 February 2017|

On 16-18 February SCIT Director Irina Alexeeva visited the city of Saratov with a series of master classes for the students of Saratov universities. The master classes touched upon a variety of subjects, such as law, economics, ecology, advertising and others. She also held a master class for the teachers The race is got by running: the translation is done by translating where the participants discussed the specificity of interpreter training for international and sport organizations. The classes were hosted by the German Center in Saratov Regional Library.

20 February: Virtual Class with DG SCIC, European Commission

21 February 2017|

On 20 February SCIT held a virtual class with the DG SCIC, European Commission. The working mode was consecutive interpreting with Russian and English in both directions. The speeches were of different topics: Birds in a big city, Agriculture in Ukraine, Protests in Romania. The retour was assessed by Kevin McCarthy, a SCIC interpreter. He spoke favourably about the performances of Fiodor Makhlayuk and Ekaterina Ageeva, and they certainly deserved the praise. SCIT Director Irina Alexeeva was equally satisfied with the English-to-Russian interpretation of other students and appreciated their Russian. The students themselves pointed to the problem areas: it is coping with fast-paced speeches or deciphering one’s own notes. The EC experts gave valuable advice concerning the language of note-taking when working into retour. The virtual class proved to be a success and a very useful exercise. We thank our European partners and hope for the continuing practice of virtual classes with DG SCIC.