Translation Program

Translation is believed to be the tool of communication and knowledge transfer among nations who come from different origins and speak different languages. This gives translation a positive value and importance in the globe where Yemen is no exception. In 1996, University of Science and Technology, therefore, embarked the Translation Program to equip the Yemeni students with translation competences to contribute to rendering useful knowledge and technology from the international language (English) into Arabic and vice versa. The program was developed for the first time in 2003. Based on the program review, the program needed to emphasize more on translation skill courses, as a result, a number of translation skill courses were added. This is the second development of the program that was done on a survey of stakeholders that revealed key knowledge areas that need to be enhanced and developed.

Academic Standards: 

  1. National Academic Reference Standards (NARS)
  2. Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA)
The Translation Program at the English Language Department of the University of Science and Technology (UST), established in 1995, is the oldest translation program in the Republic of Yemen and one of UST’s founding specialized programs. It was created to prepare qualified professionals in written and oral translation, supporting knowledge transfer and enhancing scientific and cultural communication between Yemen and the world in response to the national demand for professional translators.
Since its establishment, the program has adopted an educational approach that integrates theoretical academic preparation with practical professional training. Beyond traditional coursework, it offers a comprehensive system of training, scholarly, and community‑oriented activities aimed at developing both students and academic staff.
The program places strong emphasis on professional training, including specialized written translation (legal, medical, media, and technical), simultaneous and consecutive interpreting skills, and the use of modern translation technologies such as computer‑assisted translation tools and terminology management. Academic staff also benefit from continuous professional development to enhance teaching methods, technology integration, and assessment practices.
In addition, the department organizes scientific workshops and academic activities, such as student translation exhibitions and annual celebrations of International Translation Day, which promote collaborative learning, critical thinking, and the integration of theory with professional practice.
To strengthen links with the labor market, the program arranges academic visits, meetings with professional translators and alumni, student participation in cultural and scientific events, and guest lectures by field experts. These initiatives help bridge the gap between university education and professional practice.
The program also actively supports research in translation studies through student research, scholarly reading circles, periodic curriculum development aligned with quality standards, the establishment of postgraduate programs, and faculty participation in local and international conferences.
As a result, the Translation Program has produced generations of graduates working in translation, media, international and humanitarian organizations, higher education, research, business, and international relations. Through its academic excellence, professional orientation, and community engagement, the program has become a leading model for translation education at the national level.

To prepare qualified translators by equipping students with translation competences through professional staff using up-to-date teaching and training methods to offer community service and meet the local and regional market demand.

  • Enhancing students’ communicative competence in academic and professional contexts.
  • Developing students’ linguistic and intercultural competence to enable effective translation and interpreting of diverse text types between English and Arabic.
  • Introducing students to the fundamental principles and methodologies of scientific research.
  • Strengthening engagement and collaboration with local community institutions and organizations.

Upon successful completion of the undergraduate Translation Program, the graduates will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

A1: Show cultural and linguistic awareness of English and Arabic.

A2: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories and research methods related to translation and interpreting.


Cognitive/ Intellectual Skills:

B1: Compare the linguistic and cultural components between English and Arabic. 

B2: Analyze a wide range of translation theories to deal with problems in translation and interpreting.


Practical and Professional Skills:

C1: Communicate effectively in both spoken and written discourse.

C2: Implement various translation strategies and small-scale research methods utilizing recent technology.


General and Transferable Skills:

D1: Work independently and collectively with a strong self-direction to long-life learning and professional ethics. 

D2: Plan, organize, and develop projects and medium scale enterprises with due attention to time and resources management and technology.

    1. Knowledgeable: Demonstrate knowledge in various subject areas of translation and interpreting between English and Arabic.
    2. Good communicator: Communicate successfully orally and in writing in different work settings in English and Arabic.
    3. Analyst: Be able to critically analyze similarities and dissimilarities at all linguistic levels between English and Arabic languages.
    4. Creative: Show critical and innovative problem-solving skills.
    5. Assessor: Be able to examine and make use of a wide range of issues concerning social, cultural, regulatory and ethical aspects related to the fields of translation and interpreting.
    6. Professional: Produce adequate translations utilizing modern technology to meet the market demand in both English and Arabic.
    7. Researcher: Conduct scientific research in the fields of translation and interpreting.
    8. Lifelong Learner: Be able to learn voluntarily and pursue knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. 
  • Successful completion of all courses required for graduation in the study plan.
  • Fulfilling the minimum period required for obtaining the degree and not exceeding the maximum number of years stipulated in the academic regulations of the credit‑hour system.
  • For transfer students, completing no less than 50% of the total credit hours required for graduation according to the approved study plan at the time of admission to the university.
  • Completion of field training requirements.
  • Completion of the graduation project requirements.

  • Translation Theory and Studies
    Core concepts, models, and approaches in translation studies, including equivalence, functionalism, skopos theory, and contemporary trends.
  • Interpreting Studies
    Principles and practices of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, including cognitive processes, note‑taking techniques, and ethics of interpreting.
  • Contrastive Linguistics (English–Arabic)
    Structural, semantic, and pragmatic differences between English and Arabic and their implications for translation and interpreting.
  • Applied Linguistics for Translation
    Language acquisition, discourse analysis, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics as they relate to translation performance.
  • Specialized Translation Domains
    Translation of legal, medical, technical, media, scientific, and economic texts, with emphasis on terminology and genre conventions.
  • Terminology Management and Lexicography
    Principles of terminology theory, bilingual terminology development, and management of terminological databases.
  • Translation Technology and Digital Tools
    Computer‑assisted translation (CAT) tools, machine translation, post‑editing, localization, corpus‑based translation, and digital workflows.
  • Research Methods in Translation Studies
    Qualitative and quantitative research methods, academic writing, and critical analysis in translation and applied linguistics.
  • Cultural and Intercultural Studies
    Cultural mediation, intercultural communication, ideology, and the role of culture in translation between English‑ and Arabic‑speaking contexts.
  • Professional Practice and Ethics
    Translation project management, quality assurance, professional standards, ethics, and the translation market.
  • Media and Audiovisual Translation
    Subtitling, dubbing, voice‑over, and translation for digital and broadcast media.
  • Community and Institutional Translation
    Translation in public services, NGOs, humanitarian organizations, and institutional contexts.

  • Professional Translator (Written Translation)
    Working in legal, medical, technical, media, or literary translation.

  • Interpreter (Simultaneous or Consecutive)
    Serving in conferences, courts, hospitals, diplomatic meetings, and international events.

  • Media Translator and Subtitler
    Translating news, documentaries, films, and digital media content for TV channels and online platforms.

  • Localization Specialist
    Adapting software, websites, mobile applications, and digital products for Arabic–English markets.

  • Language Editor and Proofreader
    Editing and revising translated texts to ensure linguistic accuracy, clarity, and stylistic consistency.

  • Translator in International and Humanitarian Organizations
    Working with the UN, NGOs, and international agencies on reports, field communication, and advocacy materials.

  • Academic or Research Assistant in Translation Studies
    Assisting in teaching, research, and curriculum development at universities and research centers.

  • Terminologist or Language Data Specialist
    Managing bilingual terminology databases and supporting translation quality in institutions and companies.

  • Corporate Communications or International Relations Officer
    Handling bilingual correspondence, reports, and cross‑cultural communication in businesses and organizations.

  • Freelance Translator or Language Service Provider
    Offering independent translation and interpreting services locally and internationally.