Togo: The signing of a key document by ECOWAS Vice-President H.E. Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, Togo's Minister Delegate for Higher Education Prof. Gado Tchangbedji, and University of Lom© representative Prof. Edinam Kola marks significant progress toward operationalizing Masters programs in Conference Interpreting and Translation at the University of Lom©.
According to African Press Organization, the document's handover from Professor Tchangbedji to Professor Kola for transmission to the university president is a vital milestone for the programs. This step, combined with the Togolese government's commitment and ECOWAS's pledged support for a curriculum retreat, sets the stage for joint program monitoring aligned with agreed responsibilities and timelines.
Representatives from the Togolese government, University of Lom©, and ECOWAS emphasized the programs' relevance and regional importance, emphasizing the need for academic coherence and professional quality. Prof. Edinam Kola expressed gratitude to ECOWAS and the government for their support, affirming the university's dedication to mobilizing resources and strengthening regional and international partnerships.
Prof. Gado Tchangbedji highlighted the alignment of these programs with national priorities on human capital development. Patibouyou Kirong, Ministry of National Education's Chief of Staff, underscored ECOWAS's role in enhancing youth employability and governance.
Ms. Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja highlighted the strategic importance of interpreting and translation for regional integration, emphasizing their role in intercultural dialogue and cooperation. She reiterated ECOWAS's commitment to supporting African interpreters and translators, stating the university's potential as a reference center for training in these fields.
The report summary by Alphousseyni Diamanka, ECOWAS Coordinator of Language Services, outlined the creation of a Professional Masters in Translation, program harmonization, language combination clarification, and technology integration. Ms. Olukemi Robinson Atabuh from ECOWAS noted the historic nature of the meeting and the new opportunities these programs present for the university, stressing the importance of language for dialogue and integration. She thanked all contributors to the meeting's success.