On 23 January 2018, the School of Translation and Interpreting of UCL and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) headquarters in Brussels signed a cooperation agreement in the field of translation. The objective is to facilitate the entry into the workforce of UCL translation students.

UCL recently decided to increase its partnerships with the professional world and especially intergovernmental institutions, in an effort to better prepare its students for their professional career. Indeed, students sometimes mention the difference between university learning and practising the profession on a daily basis, especially when it comes to the pace of professional life and the need to make a quick decision on the best choice of translation.

The Université Catholique de Louvain therefore decided to familiarise its students with the expectations and constraints of international companies and organisations. With this new agreement, UCL students will be able to benefit from the advice of professionals accustomed to translating the joint statements of the heads of state and government of the 29 NATO countries, as well as cutting-edge technical documents.

In practice, the agreement provides for terminological exchanges, visits and workshops conducted by NATO translators at UCL, together with internships and greater cooperation for recruitment.

This is a win-win agreement since it allows NATO to inform students about its work, help them prepare for their recruitment competitions and, who knows, the organisation may perhaps find new talent that will flourish in a service that strives for excellence.

Photo: Copyright UCL.