For the first time in the Arab World, Sultan Qaboos University hosted the 8th Conference of the International Association for Translation and Intercultural Studies under the theme “Sustainable Translation in the Age of Knowledge Extraction, Generation and (Re)Creation”. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Her Excellency Prof. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, in the presence of His Highness Sayyid Dr. Fahd bin Al Julanda Al Said, the Vice-Chancellor, along with dignitaries, academics, researchers and specialists from public- and private-sector institutions in Oman and abroad.
In his opening address, Dr. Abduljabbar Al-Sharafi from the Department of English Language and Translation at the College of Arts and Social Sciences, and Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, stated that this year’s conference received 336 abstracts from around the world, all of which underwent a rigorous peer-review process conducted by 80 international scholars and experts. A total of 236 abstracts were accepted to form the academic corpus of the conference. Dr. Al-Sharafi added that over the course of four days, the programme features 49 scientific sessions, each presenting five papers, all aligned with the central theme of sustainability in translation and intercultural studies. He emphasised the growing importance of this topic in light of today’s rapid global transformations driven by AI and major advances in machine-translation technologies, which present opportunities and challenges with direct impacts on translation as a field of knowledge, research, education, practice and industry.
The conference also features an exhibition involving 21 public- and private-sector institutions united by their engagement with translation as a field of culture, practice and industry. Dr. Al-Sharafi noted that the eighth edition, which runs until Saturday, 13 December 2025, introduces a renewed vision through a parallel intellectual and cultural programme complementing the academic sessions. This includes five specialised symposia addressing translation and technology, translation and industry, translation and identity, and the role of translation institutions in sustaining culture and heritage.
Prof. Sue-Ann Harding, President of the International Association for Translation and Intercultural Studies, delivered an address reviewing the history of the association’s conferences, noting that they began in Seoul 24 years ago and have since been hosted in Cape Town, Melbourne, Belfast, Belo Horizonte, Hong Kong and Barcelona. She affirmed that holding this edition at SQU marks the first time the conference has been hosted in the Arab world and on the Arabian Peninsula.
Through this conference, SQU presents a new vision for strengthening the humanities and fostering a dynamic conference culture in Oman. The vision expands interaction between the humanities and government institutions, the private sector and youth, extending beyond the traditional academic framework to embrace broader forms of societal collaboration. The University aims to redefine the role of humanities conferences as platforms for building and sustaining knowledge-based societies, supporting the creative economy and establishing strategic partnerships with relevant institutions. It also seeks to offer an enriching educational experience for students through direct engagement with scientific sessions, youth initiatives and national projects. Furthermore, the university aspires to build an integrated framework with the College of Arts and Social Sciences to strengthen the presence of the humanities, raise awareness of their importance and guide investment in them in line with shared strategic goals.
Oman’s selection as host of the eighth edition reflects international recognition of its commitment to promoting peace, dialogue and intercultural understanding amid current global challenges. The event also enhances Oman’s soft power by attracting a broad international scientific and cultural presence in the fields of translation and intercultural communication. The conference’s themes support one of the pillars of Oman Vision 2040 related to citizenship, identity, heritage and national culture by reinforcing translation as a vital tool for sustaining identity, dialogue and knowledge exchange. The conference includes an exhibition featuring public- and private-sector institutions from Oman and abroad showcasing initiatives and expertise in translation and cultural engagement.