Guest of the International Society for Translation
Prof. Dr. Moustafa El-Abdallah Alkafry
Prof. Dr. Moustafa El-Abdallah Alkafry
Guest of the International Society for Translation
Is there a quick overview of our guest?
Dr. Dr. Moustafa El-Abdallah Alkafry Professor, Faculty of Economics Damascus University, Member of the Union of Arab Writers, Married Family Three daughters and a boy.
Can you tell us about your life and your studies?
He was born in the village of Ghassom, Daraa, Syria, on 15 November 1949. At the age of five, he began his primary education at Ghassom Rural School. After receiving the elementary certificate with excellence, I joined the preparatory school of Abi Tayeb al-Mutanabi in Daraa. I graduated from junior high school in 1964 and graduated from the Daraa Secondary School for Boys.
After obtaining his high school diploma, he joined the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Damascus and graduated from it in 1973. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce. During the period of study at the University of Damascus, worked in the General Organization for Foreign Trade of the machinery and equipment (Aftomashin), staff in the appropriations Division, then head of the Appropriations Division, then head of the Department of the mechanisms in the institution and assistant director of the Department of the mechanisms and then resigned to travel to pursue the study for a doctorate.
In 1974 I went to Poland to study. I spent a year studying Polish at the Institute for the Teaching of Polish Language for Foreigners in the city of Lodz, which is about 150 km from the Polish capital Warsaw. He then moved to Warsaw and began to write a master’s thesis at the S G P i S Warsaw Economic school in Polish. He received his master’s degree in economics in 1976 and then completed his doctorate in Polish and received his doctorate in economics in 1980 from the same school. Professor Zbigniew Pomplevski, the supervisor of the master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation, and the title of the thesis: (The impact of increased oil revenues on the socio-economic development of Arab oil-exporting countries). In 1980, I returned home to Syria to pursue my work and activities.
My work started as an outside lecturer at Damascus University. In 1981 I was appointed General Manager of the General Company for Matches, Wood and Pencils, and remained General Manager of the company until 1986.
- During this period and in 1983 I was appointed a faculty member at the Faculty of Economics – University of Damascus. 1983-1989 Lecturer at the Faculty of Economics.
- 1989-1995 Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics.
- 1995 – Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Damascus.
- 1995 – 2001, Head of Department of Economics and Planning, Damascus University – Faculty of Economics.
- Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics for Scientific Affairs during the period from September 2001 to February 2002.
What are your talents and hobbies you still practice now?
Reading and writing, especially in economic thought. Reading in Arabic thought, poetry and novel, and using the computer that was able to work with him better.
What types of books do you often get attracted to?
Novel histories history, heritage and sometimes poetry.
What are the most important periodicals published?
- Arab Economic Research – Cairo
- Generation Builders – Damascus
- Development and Social Progress – Cairo
- Al-Ahram Economic – Egypt
- Arab Pioneer – Damascus
- Arab Economic Research – Cairo
- Journal of Economic Research – Benghazi
- Arab Affairs – Cairo
- Arab Economic Journal
- Arab Studies – Beirut
- Political Thought – Damascus
- Ambassador – Beirut
- Generation – Paris
- Literary Week – Damascus
- Oil & Industry News – Abu Dhabi
- Durham Middle Papers
Every scientist, thinker and writer has resources that contributed to the formation of his public cultural background on the one hand, and the development and development of his talents in the field of specialization. What are the resources and resources of knowledge that have had the greatest impact in the formation of your cultural background as well as your scientific background in the field of your academic specialization?!
The most important sources of knowledge that have had the greatest impact on the formation of the general cultural background in my life are: the agricultural environment that I lived in my small village of Ghassom, especially the addition of my father, Mohamed my grandfather Abdullah Qataf Alkafry. Where I learned in addition to what I did not learn in the most important schools, where I learned a curriculum in life made me distinguish between good and evil, I seek to do good, and between halal and Haram followed Halal, and the seriousness and amusement I be serious in my work and do not forget my share of the world. The additive in the countryside of our Arab homeland was a school in which the individual learns courage, courage, honesty, honesty and all good morals.
The most important sources of knowledge and knowledge that have had the greatest impact on the formation of the scientific background and the field of academic specialization are: Damascus University – Faculty of Economics, Higher School of Statistics and Planning Warsaw Poland. University of Exeter – United Kingdom.
Who are the most prominent professors who are taught by them and proud of them and why?
In the primary stage: Prof. Mohamed Talab Hilal, Professor Ali Farhan Mekdad, Professor Farid Shadaydeh, Professor Gomaa Mahmoud Alkafry Professor Ibrahim Hilal Al-Muraif. In the preparatory and secondary stage: Professor Majid Al-Salem, Professor Tawfiq Haddad, Professor Fuad Khoury, Professor Musa Al-Lakoud. In the undergraduate stage: Dr. Jack Hakim, Dr. Hamdi El Sakka, Prof. Adel Nasser, Dr. Haitham Hashim, Dr. Adnan Najjar.
Who are the most prominent professors who are educated on your hands and proud of them and why?
Dr. Moataz Naeem, Dr. Rania Aldroubi.
What projects do you dream of accomplishing and what are the ambitions you seek?
Development of Higher Education in Damascus University and Syrian Universities.
What are the major universities where you studied and the subjects you taught?
University of Damascus, University of Constantine – Algeria, Cairo University – Faculty of Economics and Political Science, University of Exeter.
What literature and research have you published?
- A reference book in the Polish language, entitled “Oil revenues in the Arab oil exporting countries”, which is the first section of the doctoral dissertation. Issued at the High School of Statistics and Planning (SGPiS) Warsaw Poland. (200 pages).
- A reference book in the Polish language, entitled “Utilization of oil revenues in financing the comprehensive development process in the Arab oil-exporting countries”, which is the second part of the doctoral dissertation. Issued at the High School of Statistics and Planning (SGPiS) Warsaw Poland. (200 pages).
- University book (cooperative economy) for the fourth year students in the Faculty of Economics, Damascus University publications in 1987 with Dr. Aref Dalila. (400 pages).
- University book (economics and economic doctrines) for the first year students at the Faculty of Sharia University of Damascus. Damascus University Press, 1990 (280 pages).
- A university book (political economy) for the first year students at the Faculty of Economics, University of Damascus. Publications of the University of Damascus, 1995. (407 pages).
- University book (political economy) for the first year students at the Faculty of Economics, University of Damascus. Damascus University Press, 2001. (444 pages).New edition revised and augmented.
- University book (Principles of Economics) course for students of intermediate institutes. In collaboration with Dr. Mohamed Jamil Omar University of Damascus Publications (170 pages).
- Reference book (population policies and strategies) for graduate students. In collaboration with Dr. Ahmed Al-Ashqar, Damascus University Press, 2000. (175 pages).
- University book (economics and economic doctrines, Comparative Islamic Economics) course for the first year students at the Faculty of Sharia University of Damascus. Publications of Damascus University 2003. (470 pages).
- Book (Cooperative Organizations in the Arab World) Publications of the Ministry of Culture in the Syrian Arab Republic 1993. (290 pages).
- Book (Issues on Population and Development in the Arab World), published by the Ministry of Culture, 1993. (260 pages). In collaboration with Dr. Essam Khoury.
- Co-author of Human Resources Development Policies in the Arab Countries:
Population, Labor Force, Employment and Education, published by the International Labor Organization and the University of Damascus, 1992. (117 pages).
- Participated in the writing of the book (Population mobility and development planning in the Arab world) issued by the International Labor Organization and the University of Damascus 1992. (165 pages).
- Participated in the writing of the book of the first World Conference on Scientific Research on the role of scientific research institutions in the human and social sciences in the Arab countries and Turkey, published by the Tamimi Foundation for Scientific Research and Information, Tunis Zaghouan, 1995 (376 pages).
Published a number of researches, studies and articles in magazines and periodicals Syrian, Arabic, Polish and English, including:
- Research entitled: Food Security in the Arab World. Published in the Journal of Arab Affairs – Cairo, No. 66 June 1991.
- An article entitled: Evolution of the World Population Facts and Figures. Published in Al-Khafji Magazine, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, No. (12) June 1992.
- GCC states own half of the world’s proven oil reserves. Published in Al-Khafji Magazine, Saudi Arabia, and September 1993.
- Research entitled: The importance of cooperation in the economies of Arab countries and the role of the Arab League in supporting the cooperative movement. Published in Economic Outlook – Qatar, Issue No. 50, April 1992.
- A study entitled: Comprehensive development in the Arab world ambition and difficulties. Published in the Journal of Generation Builders, No. (2) April 1992.
- Study entitled: Joint Arab Economic Action in the Field of Energy. Published in the Journal of Builders of Generations – Damascus, No. (3) July 1992.
- A study entitled: Population issues in the Arab world. Published in the Journal of Builders of Generations – Damascus, No. 11 July 1994.
- Study entitled: The League of Arab States and Arab Economic Integration. Published in the Journal of Builders of Generations – Damascus, No. 14 April 1995.
- Research entitled: Development in the Arab world between global models and self-reliance. Published in Samed Economic Magazine, Issue (81) September 1990.
- A study entitled: Integration and synergy between the economies of Arab countries. Published in the Journal of Arab Studies – Beirut, Issue (5) 1989.
- Study entitled: Limits of Development in the Arab Countries. Published in the Journal of Arab Studies – Beirut, Issue 1 (2) 1988.
- Study entitled: The concept of Arab development and self-reliance. Published in the Journal of Arab Studies – Beirut, Issue (11) September 1991.
- Article entitled: Production and consumption of oil in Arab countries. Published in Petroleum & Industry News – Abu Dhabi, Issue 269 January 1993.
- Article entitled: Economic activity in Islam. Published in the Journal of Culture – Damascus, March 1990.
- Study entitled: Arab Universities and Scientific Research. Published in the Journal (Files of the History of Morocco) – Rabat, No. 12 June 1997.
- Study entitled: Research and Scientific Cooperation between Damascus University and Arab and European Universities. Published in Damascus University Press, Issue 43 September 1997.
- Study entitled: GATT conventions and their impact on the Arab economies. Published a magazine (bulletin Damascus Chamber of Commerce), January 1998.
- A study entitled: Population Policies in the Arab Republic. Published in Builders of Generations Magazine – Damascus, January 1998.
- One observes that you are a man with a tremendous mental card, God willing, what is the secret?
Love of knowledge, work, diligence and perseverance.
Do you think that Arab creators like you have received their rights from the spotlight or spread? And why?
I do not think, because we are still a nation that scientists and scientists do not appreciate.
What are the most important shortcomings and disadvantages of the educational system in the Arab world, taking into account the disparity in the level of quality between the educational systems from Arab Qatar to another Qatar, and what are the prospects of the desired development to upgrade our educational systems to become more in tune with the spirit of the times?!
Education in our Arab country has achieved many achievements, especially in terms of quantity and combating illiteracy. However, there are many shortcomings and negative aspects of the educational system in the Arab world. The most important of these are the educational methods and curricula that are outdated and do not meet the contemporary needs. Continuous training of teachers, lack of interest in scientific research, lack of interest in meeting the needs of teachers necessary and academic.
In recent years, it has been noted that Arabs are eager to educate their children in foreign schools. Do you think this will help the translation movement flourish in a way that will change the West’s view of our culture?
I think that the Arabs’ interest in teaching their children in foreign schools will help to boost the translation movement in the Arab world.
What do you think of the role of the Arabic Language Councils in the development of the translation movement and what are the drawbacks to it?
The role of the Arabic Language Councils in the development of the translation movement remains weak and does not reach the required level. Where it is necessary to overcome the negatives and obstacles that prevent the opening to the contemporary world through the window of translation and communication with different streams, giving and giving so that the Arab culture becomes an influential part of the global culture. This is only possible by developing the translation movement.
Who do you think is the most difficult task: the interpreter or the translator?
Online Translator.
Historical sources note that the translation movement experienced a boom in Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. What are the reasons behind this boom and why does not it flourish again?
Translation is one of the most important means of intellectual and cognitive transmission among the various peoples of the world and throughout the ages. One of the most important reasons for the progress and development of the Arabs in the era of Arab Islamic sovereignty was their recognition of the civilizations that preceded them through translation and Arabization. The main reason for this is the recognition of the caliphs at that stage of the importance of the sciences of other nations, and their great appreciation of the translation process, when the caliph gave the interpreter a reward for translation equivalent to the weight of the translated book.
What do you think of the establishment of the International Association of Arabic Translators?
A good step I wish them success and success.
What is the expected role of the Arab and International Association?
Translation is a means of enriching the language and developing it. This was expressed by Pushkin, the great poet of Russia, when he said, “The interpreters are horses of the Enlightenment.” The translation also bridges the gap between the higher peoples and the lower civilization.
What do you think about the publication of WATA magazine for languages and languages?
We in the Arab world need specialized patrols.
What do you think of the international project of translation and publication launched by the International Society? I wish him success.
Do you see a failure of the people of the solution and the contract towards the Arab cultural and intellectual institutions such as WATA?
There is a shortening of the people of the solution and the contract towards the Arab cultural and intellectual institutions.
How do you see the role of translation in the advancement of the Arab nation?
Translation is a cultural stimulant does the act of catalysis yeast in chemical reactions as it provides the appropriate ground that the creator and researcher and the world can stand on it and then go to the new worlds and invent and invent and invent. Translation is the primary means of introducing, transferring and settling science and technology. It is also an essential element in the process of education and scientific research. A tool through which we can keep up with the cultural and intellectual movement in the world.
What is your assessment of the translation movement in the Arab world?
The Arabs, especially in Egypt, Lebanon and Syria, realized the importance of translation and transport in all areas of thought, history, philosophy, theater, novels, religious, scientific, economic and other books. Thus, the Lebanese arena, along with Egypt and Syria, was one of the most active Arab forums in the field of intellectual and knowledge transfer between Europe and the Arab countries through translation. However, it seems that the role of translation in the process of progress and development is still very weak, except for some exceptions, especially since many faculty members in universities are able to do this task, especially those who studied in non-Arab countries and obtained a master’s degree and doctorate.
Do you think the West has surpassed us in translating science and building on it? Yes.
We were happy with this dialogue. Is there a final word?
It is no secret that the translation from language to language, and the creation of a kind of culture between them, would make a significant contribution to the rapprochement between peoples and nations. This, in turn, leads to the continuity of societies and their isolation from one another. This is beneficial to all human beings. Genetics, which are very rare, cease to be the exclusive property of a people, but become a common property of all mankind when it sees light.