Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with three leading regional centres of translation.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Chairman Mohammed Al Gergawi signed the agreements with Dr Ina'am Bioudh, director of Algeria-based Arab Leagues' Higher Arab Institute for Translation; Dr Jaber Asfour, head of the National Centre for Translation, Egypt; and Dr Taher Labib, director-general of the Beirut-based Arab Organisation for Translation.

According to the MoUs, the foundation will finance projects that will be undertaken by the three partners in translating select books into Arabic.

It will also ensure free distribution of books to institutes of higher learning, such as universities and study centres. The partnerships will also facilitate training initiatives for translators, the foundation said in a statement.

The agreements are in line with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’s long term strategy to drive the role of the translation industry in the region as a catalyst for knowledge development.

“The agreements are important steps in the Foundation’s strategy to contribute to the growth of knowledge throughout the region.  The decision to enter into partnerships with these prominent bodies was based on their reputation, high standards of quality, and scholastic excellence,' said Al Gergawi.

“The signing of the MoUs represents the first of many initiatives outlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. This move is in line with the Foundation’s commitment to support the creation of a knowledge-based society in the Arab world,” he said.

Translation of knowledge was an important issue addressed by the UNDP’s Arab Human Development Report of 2002, which focused on the region’s economic, social, civil, political, and cultural factors. The report highlighted the severe shortage of new writing and said:

“In the 1,000 years since the reign of the Caliph Mamoun, only as many books have been translated into Arabic as Spain translates in one year,” he said.

“We feel honoured by the Foundation’s decision to partner with us on this remarkable knowledge initiative. It also places an enormous responsibility on us to contribute to the its noble goal of empowering the region through credible academic resources and increased access to knowledge,” said Dr Asfour.

'We are privileged to partner with a committed organization that believes in the value of translation as a crucial asset to build the region's knowledge capacity. We are optimistic that our synergy with the Foundation will open new doors for the translation industry in the Arab world,' said Dr Bioudh.

'The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation is strongly committed to enhancing the region's knowledge capabilities. We are glad to partner with the pioneering Foundation in its quest to develop the region's translation industry. We look forward to furthering our co-operation to achieve new milestones in the years to come,' said Dr Labib.

Launched in May 2007 with a $10-billion endowment, the foundation supports a wide range of initiatives to boost the knowledge capital of the region, from funding research institutions and youth leadership programmes to providing scholarships and research grants. – TradeArabia News Service