Four years have elapsed since the Department of Translation Studies became a member of the prestigious EMT network. This international framework for Europe’s best MA Translation Studies Programmes was founded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Translation, with the goal to support training of future European translators at the highest possible level as well as to support young language experts in finding their place in the job market.
Nitra is the only Slovak university that successfully passed a strict selection process which includes an evaluation of education, teaching and research quality, involvement with the translation industry and the overall employability of the department’s graduates.
The strong position of Nitra’s Department of Translation Studies is further documented by the fact that Doc Emília Perez PhD was elected to the executive board of this network. She was also given a mandate to select and lead a work group focusing on the education in the field of audiovisual translation and accessibility of content and information, which was joined by 31 members from 13 European countries. Other Department members are likewise actively participating in EMT work groups, including subjects such as migration and crisis communication and the education of community interpreters. Our EMT membership was also the starting point for our participation in the international project HEALTH 4 ALL: Development and implementation of a digital platform for the promotion of access to mental healthcare for low language proficient third-country nationals in Europe financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and led by Doc Soňa Hodákova PhD.
Alongside the benefits resulting from an intense European-wide collaboration in research, and education, EMT also brings considerable advantages for our students. These include an access to innovative methodologies and industry-level translation software, chances to participate in interesting research and education initiatives, mobility options, as well as access to the newest information about translation and interpreting trends. All of these propel our students forward.
One of the most coveted benefits of the Department’s EMT membership is the possibility to take part in events at the very heart of the European Commission. Our student Lívia Kodajová received the honour of participating in the most prestigious European translation event Translating Europe Forum (#2023TEF), alongside a possibility to visit the headquarters of the European Commission. The 2023TEF event was attended by more than 400 translation representatives from all of Europe, and Lívia had the opportunity to meet some of the big names from translation industry, research and education. Lívia summed up the experience as follows:
“Taking part #TEF2023 was an invaluable experience and I gained so many new insights, tips and inspiration - whether it was from the lectures, panel discussions or talks with fellow students with whom we found common ground when looking for subway stops or complaining about the weather. The three unforgettable days I spent in Brussels gave me a chance to meet amazing people, discuss research in various European universities as well as the future of Translation Studies, and also to meet the Director-General for DGT at the European Commission. I am immensely grateful to Doc. Emília Perez PhD who enabled me this experience through her nomination.”
The right to use the EMT logo is a clear signal that our teaching is of the highest international quality, giving our students the crucial edge on the international job market. We constantly improve our study programmes and prepare our students for the reality of their future employment, in no small part thanks to the whole departmental team, active European-wide collaborations and strong partnerships with the translation industry at home and abroad.
Doc. Emília Perez, PhD.
Doc. Soňa Hodáková, PhD.
Doc. Andrej Zahorák, PhD.
Mgr. Lívia Kodajová
Photos: #2023TEF, #EMTnet