On the Relationship Between University Translator Training Programs and the Translation Market Requirements: The Case of English Translation Graduates and Postgraduates of Imam Reza International University

Abstract

The training of specialized human resources and the utilization of their expertise represent the primary concerns of universities and the higher education system. The efficacy of translator training programs has been increasingly scrutinized, with a particular emphasis on the explicit delineation of the link between their curricula and the market in which their graduates are ultimately employed. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the relationship between the university translator training programs at Imam Reza International University and the requirements of the translation market, with specific focus on the occupational status of translation graduates, and their attitudes towards the academic training, over the past 20 years. The study was mixed-methods with the online survey completed by 100 graduates by convenience sampling technique. Subsequently, through a snowballing approach, 23 graduates were selected for the semi-structured interview. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 27; then, the data of interviews were analyzed based on the grounded theory in MAXQDA version 2020. The findings suggest that the majority of graduates perceive themselves to be inadequately prepared to enter the workforce. This sentiment is attributed to the absence of practical coursework, including innovative translation techniques and marketing skills aligned with the demands of the contemporary translation industry. So, there is a need for greater interaction between training and the market. The findings also indicated that modern translation technology and updated resources are not used to meet the market’s need. Inviting employers and entrepreneurs to talk in the classes, holding specialized workshops, and having work placement components in the curriculum can be effective in creating a foundation for students' subsequent employment.