A list ranking China's translation and interpretation master's education programs was released at a summit forum at Peking University on Sept 16. More than 150 individuals from academia were in attendance.

Guest speakers pose for a group photo at the Summit Forum on the “Belt and Road” Initiative and MTI Education on Sept 16 at Peking University. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The list - University Rankings of MTI Programs in China (2017) - was co-released by the Boya Translation Culture Salon of Peking University, the Center for International Language Service and Management of the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), the MIT Education Center of Peking University, China Translation and Publishing House and the China National Institute of Standardization.

This year marks the 10th anniversary since the MTI (Master of Translation and Interpreting) education was established in China to meet the demands of the translation industry and the need for an authentication system for translators.

Guangdong University of Foreign Studies tops the list with five stars, followed by Shanghai International Studies University and Beijing Language and Culture University.

Zhang Gaoli, president of the China Translation and Publishing House, speaks at the forum. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Other universities, including Peking University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Renmin University of China also rank within the top ten with five stars.

Wang Jihui, director of the MTI Education Center of Peking University, said the list was released to promote the education quality of China’s MIT and foster more translation and interpretation talents.

Cui Qiliang, vice-director of the UIBE’s Center for International Language Service and Management, analyzed the status quo of MTI education in China, citing responses from teaching staff and employers.

Zhong Weihe, an expert on translation and interpretation, talked about the supply-side structural reform of MIT and language services for enterprises involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The summit forum attracted famous foreign experts and translators, including Professor Wolfgang Kubin, a world famous sinologist of Bonn University in Germany.