BEIJING - A seminar focusing on the cultivation of high-quality translators and interpreters was held at the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) on Monday afternoon. 

A seminar was held to cultivate high-quality translators at the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing on Monday. Six outstanding alumni shared their work and study experiences with an audience of about 500. The event was part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the university, dubbed "the cradle of Chinese diplomats". [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The event, part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the university, which is dubbed "the cradle of Chinese diplomats", aims to encourage more students to become involved through a 90-minute dialogue. 

"CFAU has a long tradition of fostering top-notch translation pros and has formed a unique way of talent training," said its president Professor Qin Yaqing, adding that nearly half of the Foreign Ministry's (FM) senior translators and interpreters are CFAU graduates. 

Qin noted that the university has aligned with many government organs, public institutions and media outlets to provide practical training opportunities to prepare its students for their future. 

Qin Yaqing, president of China Foreign Affairs University, speaks at a seminar to cultivate high-quality translation pros at the university in Beijing on Monday. Six outstanding alumni shared their work and study experiences with an audience of about 500. The event is part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the university, dubbed "the cradle of Chinese diplomats". [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"CFAU hopes to become an incubator of the country's senior translators and interpreters, and push the cause of translation further with joint efforts from our peers." 

Six CFAU alumni, all top-performers at their own posts ranging from diplomat to senior journalist and interpreter, shed light on their jobs and shared skills-honing experience with an audience of about 500. 

Unlike a conventionally serious symposium filled with doctrines that easily result in a rash of doze-offs, the Monday session proceeded in a light-hearted and interactive atmosphere, with speakers telling anecdotes about work and taking real-time questions from their admirers. 

Dai Qingli, an FM counsellor for political affairs, hailed CFAU's talent training mechanism by saying that CFAU graduates usually stand out among FM novices due to a solid academic foundation that helps them quickly blend in and their willingness to put in long hours.

"Apart from a fine learning environment and all sorts of conditions provided by the school, what height you can reach really depends on your individual efforts."

Zhang Lu, a chief interpreter at the Spain and Portugal Department of the Foreign Ministry, suggested that students should become well-rounded by studying intelligently while engaging in extra-curricular activities to build up enough social experience. 

Duan Yarui, now deputy director of the foreign liaison office of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) stressed putting in hard work by reminiscing about one of her biggest embarrassments when she fumbled the translation of a technical chemistry term during a reception, which disappointed her superior. 

The seminar was of great significance for students like Xu Han, a sophomore English major, who said it helped to clear up her confusion about career planning. 

"I've always been interested in working in media, but I wasn't sure if I have what it takes to do that. Now, after learning about some of the work at the Xinhua News Agency, I think I may have a shot at it," she said. 

"Knowing that CFAU alumni shine in various fields makes me more proud of being a CFAUer."