Prof Douglas Jack Robinson, a professor in the School of Humanities and Social Science, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, was invited as a guest speaker by the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences (DHSS) High Table Dinner on the evening of 12 October and shared his experience as a translator and teacher.

Prof Robinson taught previously at the University of Jyväskylä, University of Washington, University of Tampere, University of Mississippi, and Lingnan University. While researching translation studies, literary studies, language studies, gender studies, rhetoric, semiotics, and so on, Prof Robinson now teaches translation theory, critical theory, and research methodologies.

Prof Douglas Jack Robinson gives a speech

Other high table guests were UIC Provost Prof Chen Zhi; Vice President (Administration) of UIC, Prof Mao Yaqing; Associate Vice President (Internationalisation) of UIC and Dean of Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof Adrian Bailey; Professor of DHSS Prof Zhao Xiaobin and Associate Professor of DHSS Dr Charles Lowe.

High Table guests

As the Chairperson of this High Table Dinner, Prof Adrian Bailey warmly welcomed Prof Robinson. He pointed out the significance of translation and encouraged students to strive and be confident at what they are doing.

Prof Adrian Bailey gives a speech

In the speech themed on “Literature or Translation? How Do We Choose?”, Prof Robinson talked about his career choices, such as becoming a Finnish-English translator at a young age and his experiences as a teacher. He shared his passion for translation and teaching and encouraged UIC students not to be afraid of difficulties and challenges they encounter.

Teachers and students raise questions to Prof Robinson

Third-year Cinema and Television student Du Wenyuxuan performs with Chinese instrument Zhong Ruan at the dinner

First-year Journalism and Communication student, Long Wenwei, and first-year Foreign Language and Literature student, Huang Tianjun performs with the saxophone and piano

Reporter: Luo Duo’er

Photographer: Wang Xi, Huang Qingyuan

Editors: Covee Wang, Deen He