Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : The Department of Translation & Interpretation, Faculty of Languages, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, organized a seminar to celebrate International Translation Day 2025 at Jinnah Auditorium, Salam Block, NUML.
The event was graced by the presence of the Rector NUML, Maj. Gen. Shahid Mahmood Kayani HI (M) Retd, with enthusiastic participation from the university community including DG NUML, Brig (R) Nadeem Asghar, Pro-Rector, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, faculty members, and students.
The seminar commenced with opening remarks by Dr. Humaira Shahbaz, Director Department of Translation & Interpretation, who highlighted the significance of celebrating this day, 30th September, recognized by The United Nations, marked as International Translation Day under Resolution No. 288/75 passed on 24th May 2017. The theme for the year 2025 was announced as “Translation : Shaping the Future You Can Trust.”
Prof. Dr. Jamil Asghar Jami, Dean, Faculty of Languages, delivered the welcome address and emphasized that today, translation is held in high esteem precisely because of the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives, making this endeavor both meaningful and worthwhile.
The highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by renowned scholar, educationist, poet, and anthropologist Professor Jalil Aali (TI). He particularly reflected on the complexities of translating poetry, with a special focus on creative writings and Naat, underlining the delicate balance between meaning, form, and cultural context.
Rector NUML, shared the university’s future plans and highlighted the upcoming project of “Bait-ul-Hikmah”, the House of Wisdom, where the House of Translation will play a pivotal role. He also announced that NUML will begin publishing books in the future.
A distinctive feature of the seminar this year was the acknowledgement of NUML’s teaching faculty for their contributions in the field of translation. For the first time, 17 faculty members were awarded certificates of acknowledgment and seminar shields in recognition of their published translated works. Certificates of acknowledgment and seminar shields were awarded to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Safeer Awan, Prof. Dr. Jamil Asghar Jami, and Dr. Ilyas Babar Awan from the English Department; Dr. Asma Naveed, Ms. Elena Sumina, Ms. Saniya Iskanova, and Ms. Yevgeniya Buch from the Russian Department; Dr. Abid Sial from the Urdu Department; Dr. Lubna Farrah and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal from the Arabic Department; Mr. Muhammad Safir Siddiqui from the Bangla Department; Dr. Aamir Zaheer from the French Department; and Dr. Amber Yasmin, Dr. Muhammad Safeer, Dr. Shagufta Yaseen Abbasi, Dr. Muhammad Fayyaz, and Dr. Humaira Shahbaz from the Persian Department. Their published translated works stand as a testament to NUML’s academic excellence and commitment to promoting intercultural understanding through translation.
The celebration concluded with an expression of gratitude to all participants, reaffirming NUML’s commitment to advancing translation studies, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and preparing students to shape a future built on trust and dialogue.