The NLEAP project funded by the Canadian Government is involved with National Languages Equality Advancement Programme that assists in Language Policy implementation and Honours Degree Programme in Translation Studies at four Universities in Sri Lanka. An official visit for two weeks from 30^th of September till 11^th of October, to Canada with the Technical Exchange Mission (TEM) was organized by NLEAP in collaboration with the Ottawa University, Canada and Glendon College (York University) Toronto, Canada. On behalf of the University of Jaffna, I, Dr.S.K.Kannathas, Head of the Department of Translation Studies joined the TEM.

The participants of the Technical Exchange Mission (TEM) are as follows;

• S.K.Kannathas-University of Jaffna.
• K.N.Gamage-University of Kelaniya
• Manojh Ariyaratna-Sabaragamuwa University
• Kennady-Eastern University.
• Niyas Ruskin-NLEAP- Co-coordinator,
• UGC Secretary Dr.Priyantha Premakumara

 The participants from CANADA are as follows;

• Hilaire Lemoine, Policy Adviser ALINEA,Ottawa, Canada
• Luise Von Flotow Curriculum Adviser, Translation Studies,ALINEA
• Itmalzin Rodriguez, NLEAP Project Coordinator
• Director of School of Interpretation and Translation, Ottawa University
• Elizebeth Marshman ,Course coordinator, Ottawa University
• Lecturers in Interpretation, Ottawa University
• Marie Catherine Chiasson-Head of Teachers in the MIC.
• Marco Fiola- Principal of Glendon College.
• Julie Mc Donough-Dolmaya and Head of interpreting Program, Glendon College
• Ima, Project Coordinator TEM
• Valerie Grenier-Lafon Senior Development Officer, Sri Lanka Development Programme-OAK/Asia Pacific/Global Affairs Canada (TBC).
• Mme Tsai- Director of Association of Translator and Interpreter Ontario (ATIO)
• Malcolm Williams, York University
• Nancy Tsai- from Taiwan University.
• Andrew Clifford, Glendon College

• The Team of TEM reached Canada on 01^st of October, 2022 and on the very first day on 2^nd of October at 9.30 a.m in ALINEA Office, Ottawa, Participants from the 4 Universities presented their activities in their Universities. The presentation of the Jaffna University with details of the graduates employed, obtained license as Sworn Translators, number of books translated by the students, Translator( annual magazine released by the department) and the activities of the department ( exhibitions, forums knowledge sharing with expertise) highly impressed the Canadian counterparts and our university was appreciated and it was declared that the intended new course with the technical assistance of ALINEA to be commenced in the University of Jaffna. Then, Hilarie and Prof. Luise briefed about the activities for the week in Canada. Sri Lankan delegates understood the purpose of the visit to Canada and boosted by the comments of Hilaire & Prof. Luise.
• On 03rd of Oct., 2022, at 9.00 a.m, visited Ottawa University, particularly Hamelin Hall-509. Director of School of Interpretation and Translation welcomed us. Listened to virtual lecture by Jeff Staflund and the participants observed the lectures in lecture hall. The outcomes are:
  • The lecture and discussion with Jeff Stanflund (Professor in Interpretation Training) gave clear idea on interpretation pedagogy and the outline of the curriculum for interpretation.
  • Hilaire and Prof. Luise directed the discussion towards the purpose of understanding the mission of the visit of Sri Lankan delegates.
  • In class-observation with booth facilities helped to understand the importance of technology and in-person presentation and discussion on ‘Interpretation Pedagogy’.
• On 4^th of October, 2022 at 9.30 a.m Sri Lankan delegates visited Hamelin Hall-509 and MIC Lab and attended the Virtual discussion with Jeff Staflund on interpretation Pedagogy and Community interpretation and conference interpretation. Following the lectures a Meeting with Valerai Greniar Lafon of Asia Pasific Global Affairs, Canada, Gayle Turner-Vice President of ALIENEA, Mme Tsai-Director of ATIO was held. The outcomes of the events are;
  • Discussion with Jeff Staflund was fruitful to understand the pedagogical aspects of interpretation and differences between community interpreting and conference interpreting.
  • We thanked Valerai and Gayle for the opportunity to visit Canada and the Technical Exchange with Ottawa University and Glyndon College of Translators and interpreters are given license and how they function under the guidance of ATIO.
• On 5^th of October, 2022, at 9.00 a.m, the delegates visited Translation Bureau, Interpreting Lab, Parliament interpretation division, Vanguard building, Ottawa. Discussion with Marie Catherine Chiasson, Head of Teachers in the MIC, gave a clear picture on Training the conference interpreters to function as parliamentary interpreters.
• On 6^th of October at 9.30 a.m, made a visit to Glyndon College (York University) and attended to demonstration of Dolmaya on Translation and Interpretation programme in Glyndon College, Seminar with Prof. Malcolm Williams and a virtual discussion on interpretation with Prof. Nancy Tsai. The outcomes of the seminars and lectures are as follows;
  • Malcolm Williams delivered a lecture on community Interpretation and Demonstrated how the pedagogy in translation could be applied to interpreting as well.
  • Nancy Tsai’s power point presentation helped a lot to design curriculum for interpretation.
• On the last day 07^th of October,2022 at 9.30 a.m we visited the same Glyndon College (York University) and participated in Classroom observation of Prof. Andrew Clifford and Workshop with Andrew Clifford. The outcomes of the programmes are;
• Andrew Clifford’s class on interpretation with lot of energy and dedication gave an insight of how a lecturer in translation and interpretation needed to be energized to motivate the learners in Teaching & Learning activities.
• Discussion with Andrew Clifford on mapping an outline for a curriculum in Interpretation Diploma was very useful in understanding the issues related with community interpretation.
• Debrief with Prof. Luise and Mr.Hilaire was very successful on deciding the course units and the credit values for the intended Diploma in Interpretation course in the University of Jaffna.