SFL Hosts Theme Report on Building a Leading Country in Education: Foreign Language Professionals Have Major Roles to Play

On March 8th, Professor Wang Lisong, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, addressed the 2023 Humanities Science Experimental Class with a keynote on the pivotal role of foreign language professionals in fostering a leading educational country.

Dean Wang Lisong outlined the career directions for talents in international organizations, foreign-related legal systems, international communication, and international economic and trade fields. Additionally, he introduced the new directions for the cultivation of compound foreign language talents in the new era, focusing on language services, language intelligence, and language communication.

Students of our school have engaged in internships at international organizations including the UNHCR, championed the voice of Chinese youth at international youth forums, and offered language services at prestigious international events such as the Davos Forum, Hangzhou Asian Games, and the Asian Para Games. These experiences have not only fueled the students’ inspiration but also offered a profound insight into the expansive and promising career opportunities that await foreign language professionals in this new era.

Wang Lisong also analyzed how the current development of artificial intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities, as well as responsibilities, for translators.

Concluding with illustrative translation cases, he underscored the integral criteria for a competent translator: mastery in foreign and native languages, extensive knowledge, keen political consciousness, and a grasp of fundamental translation theories and techniques. This has reinforced the students’ resolve to embrace their era’s mission to better tell China’s stories, make China’s voice heard, present better China, deepen exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations.