Graduate Institute of Interpreting and Translation (GIIT)
 

Founded on April 18, 2003, GIIT of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) comprises four major academic components: Applied Translation and Interpreting Department / Teaching and Management Center for Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI) Programs; Department of Translation Studies; Translation and Internship Center (TIC); and East Journal of Translation Magazine.

I. Academic Programs

GIIT offers professional interpreting and translation programs consistent with European and international standards, and strives to optimize training of its students through cooperation with domestic and international sister institutes and partner organizations, and industry-academia-government collaboration.

The institute now offers MA and PhD programs in translation studies, MTI programs for Chinese-English, Chinese-French, and Chinese-English-Russian language combinations. GIIT has over 500 graduate alumni to-date, and a current enrollment of over 200 students.

II. Academic Research

GIIT occupies a leading position in China¡¯s academic research in translation studies, thanks to a large volume of published academic treatise and textbooks on translation and interpreting teaching and research, signifinantly contributing to the development of this discipline and research area. Major research projects it has undertaken include:

- An Introduction to Comparative Literature, a major textbook development project funded by the Ministry of Education;
- A Study on Translated Foreign Literature since 1949, a project funded by National Social Science Foundation;
- Development of Guidelines for the Use of Foreign Languages in Public Service Areas: English, sponsored by the National Language Committee;
- Development of Shaanxi Guidelines for English Translations in Public Places, sponsored by the National Language Committee;
- Development of Shanghai Guidelines for English Translations in Public Places, sponsored by the National Language Committee;
- English edition of Encyclopedia of Shanghai (co-editing);
- ¡°Basic Requirements and Evaluation Indicators for Professional Master¡¯s Degrees Dissertations in Shanghai¡±, commissioned by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission;
- ¡°A Study of Post-1978 Chinese Translations of English Novels by Women Writers¡±, funded by the Ministry of Education;
- ¡°Design and Management of Internship Programs for MTI Students¡±, and ¡°Development of MTI Students¡¯ Professional Skills¡±, both commissioned by the National Steering Committee for MTI Education.

III. Translation and Interpreting Services

GIIT has established long-term partnerships with inter-governmental and governmental bodies, international organizations and industry, providing quality translation and interpreting services for UN agencies, including UNEP, UN-HABITAT and FAO, China¡¯s national ministries and offices, including the Ministry of Education, State Council Information Office and National Language Committee, and the China-based business community.

GIIT has also provided interpreting services for a number of locally-hosted international forums, such as the 18th World Congress of the International Federation of Translators, the 3rd Chinese-Foreign University Presidents Forum, and International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai.

IV. Faculty

GIIT is committed to developing a well-balanced faculty comprised of domestic and international academics, experienced translation and interpreting practitioners, and leading teaching and research experts.

Its faculty includes full-time and permanent senior professors and PhD supervisors responsible for teaching, research and the delivery of syllabus and driven, dedicated young lecturers. The faculty also benefits from the support of a large number of international translation and interpreting experts from the USA, Canada, the UK and France, and part-time adjunct professors.

V£®International Cooperation

As part of its effort to produce outstanding translators and interpreters, since its founding GIIT has been partnering with international organizations and industrial associations, and conducting exchanges and cooperation with European sister institutes that specialize in related programs and language pairs.

VI. Internships

GIIT¡¯s Translation and Internship Center offers its students a variety of internship programs, enabling them to be exposed to a variety of translation assignments under close supervision and guidance from in-house supervisors and staff. In addition, the institute has established partnerships and memoranda of understanding with domestic and international organizations, providing MTI students with more internship options, including:

- United Nations agencies and offices, such as UNEP and FAO
- European Union
- Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office
- Shanghai Daily
- Kunshan Foreign Affairs Office
- Huawei Technologies

Three of these partner organizations ¨C UN offices, Shanghai Daily and Huawei Technologies ¨C have been approved as pilot entities for city-wide reform of professional graduate degree programs by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

 
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