Novosibirsk State Technical University (NETI) is promoting the prestige of the profession of interpreter of Russian sign language in Russia. The corresponding agreement was signed during the visit of the delegation of the ANO "National Center for Qualification Assessment and Certification" (Moscow) headed by the director of the center Yulia Krygina on June 8-9.
Currently, Russian sign language translators in Russia are trained by only five secondary vocational education organizations and three higher education organizations. Both directions are being implemented at NSTU-NETI.
"We are moving forward, and the issue of the quality of our education and, the professionalism of Russian Sign Language interpreters is essential. As the curator of inclusive direction at our university, I express my hope for further fruitful cooperation," Lyudmila Mozheikina, Vice—rector for Youth Policy at NSTU-NETI, stressed in her welcoming speech.
Also, during the visit, a training seminar "Organization of work on the development of assessment tools" was held, during which a working group of experts from the ANO "National Center for Qualification Assessment and Certification" and experts from the Laboratory of the Russian Sign Language of NSTU-NETI discussed the technical requirements for the development of demo exam tasks for assessing the qualifications of Russian language translators, as well as professional standards for typhlosurd translation specialists.
The agreement provides for the following actions to increase the prestige of the profession in the country: the development of regulatory documents regulating the legal status of sign language translators and other specialists working in the field of translation, assistance in the development of a system for independent assessment of the qualifications of Russian sign language translators, as well as holding joint conferences, seminars, round tables on the study and generalization of experience of joint work in the field of training of personnel for the implementation of services for the translation of Russian sign language and work with the hearing impaired.
"According to the All-Russian Society of the Deaf, there are approximately 1,200 interpreters in Russia now, and at least 4,000 interpreters are needed. We hope that our joint efforts will help to build a common system that will improve the quality and level of professional activity of Russian sign language interpreters," said Olga Varinova, Head of the Russian Sign Language Laboratory at NSTU-NETI and, President of the Siberian Association of Translators of the Russian Sign Language.
NSTU-NETI previously participated in the development of the first professional standard "Interpreters of the Russian sign language", which entered into force on September 1, 2022 (Order of the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation dated 01/14/2022 No. 13n "On approval of the professional standard "Interpreters of the Russian sign language"). Uniform rules for assessing the qualifications of translators allow us to consider all the necessary knowledge and skills that a professional should possess.