Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is proud to announce the signing of two memorandums of understanding and an agreement that will promote the French language to its graduate students and to the citizens of Qatar. HBKU’s collaboration efforts through its Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII), with the Institut Français and Sorbonne Nouvelle University Paris – 3’s École Supérieure d’Interprètes et de Traducteurs (ESIT), will encourage exchange in the cultural and linguistic domains and in the areas of research and higher education. 
 
HBKU’s TII aims to provide Qatar and GCC countries with top-of-the-line translation and interpretation education, training in several languages, as well as high quality translation and interpretation services. TII is also working to raise awareness of the rich contribution of Arab culture in constructing global knowledge in literature, the sciences and art through translation. In addition to these offerings, TII also provides a platform for higher learning through innovative research and is committed to fostering an environment based on scholarly excellence.   
“Such agreements with highly prestigious international institutions help the Translation and Interpreting Institute in realizing its vision of providing top-class education for translators and interpreters and contributing to the growth of the knowledge-based economy. We aim to build the linguistic and cultural capacity from within and build a caliber of professionals and researchers in the fields of Translation and Interpreting, and to do so we collaborate with prominent colleges and universities, such as ESIT, to exchange best practices and expertise”, said Dr. Amal Mohammed Al-Malki, Executive Director of the Translation and Interpreting Institute. 

The MoU between The Translation and Interpreting Institute and Sorbonne Nouvelle University Paris 3’s ESIT will enrich the academic experience of both parties by offering exchange and collaboration opportunities to the institutions’ students, faculty and scholars. Since 1967, ESIT has graduated 3510 professionals in translation and interpreting and built an international reputation for its multidisciplinary approach to translation and interpreting education. ESIT is affiliated with Sorbonne Nouvelle University Paris - 3, one of the top public higher education institutions in France and one of the most reputable worldwide with cutting edge academic and research programs in languages, social sciences and humanities.
 
The agreements announced today will further TII’s services, expertise and offerings in areas related to French language and culture. TII will accomplish this by working with the Institut Français du Qatar to promote linguistic and cultural exchange within the Arab and expatriate French communities in Qatar.  The Institut français du Qatar is the official French government center of language and culture in Qatar, one of 150 French Institutes worldwide.

The Institut français du Qatar is dedicated to promote French language and culture, but also to encourage cross-cultural exchange between France and Qatar. As a promoter and diffuser of French language and Francophone culture, the Institut français du Qatar will deliver quality French language courses in partnership with TII. The Institut français du Qatar will also propose a wide range of official language tests and programs as well as cultural programs to TII learners.