Cabinet Secretariat Explores Translator Development Cooperation with Sebelas Maret University
Head of Cabinet Secretariat’s Center for Government Translators and Interpreters Development (Pusbinter) Sri Wahyu Utami hands over the translation journal as a souvenir to the Dean of Faculty of Cultural Science of the state-run Sebelas Maret University (UNS) Warto, Thursday (28/10). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)
Cabinet Secretariat’s Center for Government Translators and Interpreters Development (Pusbinter) on Thursday (28/10) in Surakarta, Central Java province, held a meeting with the Dean of Faculty of Cultural Science of the state-run Sebelas Maret University (UNS) to explore possible cooperation in developing skills of Government translators and interpreters – known as Functional Translator Officers (PFPs).
“This working visit aims to collect more input and to discuss with experts or academics in the field of translation in order to improve the policy making of the fostering of Translator Functional Position (JFP), as well as to explore future cooperation,” Head of Cabinet Secretariat’s Center for Government Translators and Interpreters Development (Pusbinter) Sri Wahyu Utami said.
As a Development Center, the Pusbinter is obliged to support career development of PFPs across the nation. To that end, Head of the Pusbinter expressed hope that the working visit to UNS can open up opportunities for cooperation in the development of Translator Functional Position, including through various trainings and competency tests.
“Hopefully, we can later discuss efforts to develop the science of translation, and also, of course, to improve policy in order to foster and develop the career of translators,” Sri said.
On that occasion, Sri said that PFPs play a significant role in establishing cooperation with neighboring countries and attracting investors’ interest to invest in Indonesia through the translation of Government regulations related to investment.
“If these regulations have been translated into many languages or at least into English, it will be easier for investors to cooperate with us, especially regional regulations that have not been much translated,” she said.
Sri went on to say that PFPs also play a role in the development of tourism sector in the country. She highlighted the importance of regional government websites to provide information in English, especially regarding tourism potential in the region.
“Such things make translators play a pivotal role, necessarily needed,” she added.
In the meantime, the Dean of Faculty of Cultural Science of the (UNS) Warto welcomed the opportunity for cooperation between the UNS and Cabinet Secretariat.
Warto affirmed that his party is ready to be involved in the preparation of regulations and policies for JFP development as well as the preparation of implementing units and translation training infrastructure.
“In the future, we can build a joint activity so that the cooperation will continue,” he said.
During the working visit, the Pusbinter also carried out monitoring and evaluation of JFP development in Surakarta city organized by the Surakarta Administration’s Employee Affairs, Education and Training Agency (BKPPD).
In the meeting, Pusbinter’s Head of Program and Development Indriawaty encouraged Surakarta government to empower PFPs in strengthening various development sectors, such as the investment and tourism sectors.
“Functional Translator Officers have a strategic role as a communication bridge with stakeholders from various countries,” Indriawaty said.
In response to that matter, Acting Head of Surakarta BKPPD Hari Prihatno expressed his commitment to immediately prepare JFP formations in various regional government organizations.
“The Surakarta City Government actually needs the presence of translators to bridge communication with international partners to translate ancient manuscripts,” he said. (DND/UN-PR of Cabinet Secretariat) (RIF/MMB)
