‘With the Rise of AI, Many Have Stopped Taking Translation Seriously —Big Mistake! ’

The idea of establishing a unit that provides written translations through a one-stop service emerged more than 10 years ago and was implemented within the HSE Department of Internationalisation. Since then, the staff of the Expert Translation Centre (ETC), including a native-language editor, have been handling requests for the written translation of materials related to international cooperation, HSE University’s integration into the global academic community, and the creation of a bilingual environment to make work and study as comfortable as possible for international students.

Initially, the centre primarily focused on translations between Russian and English. However, with the expansion of academic partnerships worldwide, it is now possible to request translations of documents from most other languages. The service is accessible via a link in the MyHSE Services Account.

In addition to translation services, the centre is responsible for editing and reviewing foreign-language materials, certifying translations for internal university departments, coordinating written translations involving language pairs other than Russian–English, maintaining the HSE Glossary of frequently used terms and names in collaboration with the English Website Support Unit, and managing the HSE Style Guide to assist those preparing materials in English.

The Expert Translation Centre offers support with the following tasks:

• Translation and certification of documents related to the employment of international specialists
• Translation, editing, and certification of inter-institutional agreements between HSE University and foreign universities or research centres
• Translation of internal HSE University regulations concerning academic processes, as well as scientific and research activities involving international participants
• Standardisation of English-language names for university divisions, job titles, and addresses, as well as maintaining a publicly available database of commonly used English terminology
• Translation of HSE University’s founding documents
• Language consultancy on English-language communication (via translation@hse.ru)

Kirill Kisel

Director for Internationalisation

— I first learned about the Expert Translation Centre at HSE University in 2017 when we urgently needed to translate the new admissions regulation documents for international students. Our colleagues handled the task quickly and did an excellent job. Within the Department of Internationalisation, the ETC undertakes a wide range of tasks, from translation to editing. There are times when translations are needed urgently, and our colleagues always step in to help. Together, we strive to make the centre's processes more straightforward and user-friendly. In 2024, we integrated the application process into the MyHSE Services Account as one of the department’s services. More than 400 requests are processed annually, amounting to thousands of pages of text! It might seem like a large team is behind this effort, but all the work is handled by just three people. With the significant expansion of our partnerships over the past few years, our working languages now extend beyond English to include Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Portuguese, and more. A multilingual environment is now a reality. In the context of internationalisation, it is crucial to adapt swiftly and tailor our services and resources to audiences from different countries and cultures.

Yulia Dimitrenko

Head of the Expert Translation Centre

— I enjoy working in the field of education—it is not only a responsibility but also a fascinating and diverse area. There is a real sense of fulfilment in contributing to cultural exchange, helping international students and staff become familiar with Russian culture and university life by ensuring that key materials about academic and professional activities are accessible in English.

Over the past ten years, our centre has strengthened and solidified its working practices while continuing to evolve and explore new areas, including active engagement with various languages.

Looking ahead, we aim to expand the linguistic diversity of our translations while consistently enhancing the quality of our services, ensuring timely completion of requests, and providing convenient and valuable support for our colleagues.

Stephen de Bethune

Editor at the Expert Translation Centre

— I’m happy to be a member of the Expert Translation Centre staff at HSE University, especially as our team marks the centre’s 10th anniversary this month. In 25 years as an English editor and Russian–English translator, I’ve worked in a variety of roles, from editing investment research at top Wall Street banks in New York to editing and translating client deliverables at the Moscow offices of global audit firms and editing breaking stories at Russia’s oldest news agency, and now at HSE University. Each job has had its own unique requirements, but the one thing they all share is the need for accuracy, precision, and clarity. Clear, crisp language ensures that written communications have the desired impact on readers, and that nothing gets ‘lost in translation.’ This is especially critical in the international academic environment at HSE University. Since joining HSE University in 2024, what I’ve enjoyed in particular is the wide diversity of topics I deal with as an editor and translator, given the varied range of disciplines and subdivisions we serve. Moreover, I’m especially pleased to contribute to the Department of Internationalisation’s mission of making HSE a truly international university, a place where students and staff from around the world can feel right at home.

Maria Nikitina

Chief Editor at the English Website Support Unit

— With the rise of AI, many people have stopped taking translation seriously—a big mistake! This attitude leads to unfortunate errors and misunderstandings. I am happy that our university approaches translation and intercultural communication with the seriousness they deserve. At the Expert Translation Centre, we don’t just have professionals—we have true enthusiasts who are passionate about their work. Thanks to them, we can be confident that HSE University’s rules and messages are accurately conveyed in any language. Together with the ETC, the editorial team of HSE’s English-language website discusses key academic terminology and the names of university departments, building a unique knowledge base accessible to all HSE staff and even external users. Congratulations to the ETC on this milestone! I wish you continued success in saving those lost in translation!

March 25