GUST launches third annual English Language and Literature conference
Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) launched the Third edition of its Annual GUST English Language and Literature (GELL) conference, which is organized by its English Department, and sponsored by GUST, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS), and That Al-Salasil. Carrying the theme “Translingualism”, which defines words and other aspects that are relevant in more than one language, the conference is taking place on GUST’s campus. Leading the event are internationally renowned academics Professor Lawrence Venuti, Professor Stephen Kellman, Dr. Mai Al-Nakib, Joumana Haddad, Professor Roumyana Slabakova and Professor Jason Rothman, in addition to 40 other academics from Kuwait and the region.
The conference aims to promote academic exchange and circulation of research among GUST students, staff, faculty, and the general public by exploring translingualism across literature, linguistics, translation and creative writing, with special emphasis on the Arab region. GUST President, Professor Donald Bates, said, “GUST continuously hosts events that provide knowledge and skill to our staff, faculty, students, and community. It is important for an institution like ours to be up-to-date with the latest developments in order to remain current and competitive to bring about Kuwait’s future generation.”
The first three days of the conference will feature lectures, presentations, videos, and poetry readings focusing on four categories: Literature, Creative Writing, Language and Linguistics, and Translation. Some of the lectures and presentations include: Border Crossing in Language and Literature, by Dr. Inas Mahfouz and Dr. Kathy Nixon, of the American University of Kuwait, The Reversing Arrow of Time: Chrono-psychology of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth, by Prof. Gayane Hovhannisyan, of the Higher College of Technology in Muscat, and Translating the Muslim Woman in a Cross-Cultural World, by Dr. Banan Daraiseh, of the Arab Open University in Kuwait.
The conference will also dedicate time for student panels on the last day to support their research. Presentations from GUST and international students will include topics such as: Transculturalism in Michael Ondaatje’s Work: Anil’s Ghost by GUST student Sara Chama, and Hold the Reins, by GUST student Fajer AlSabah. English Department Head and GELL Organizer, Dr. Cathy Daniel, said “The GELL conference creates an opportunity for regional scholars from various disciplines to gather and exchange research findings and interact with our students.
In addition, we encourage and have included student sessions as part of this year’s conference. This is the third GELL event and we hope to continue offering this collaborative platform.” GELL workshops and seminars aim to contribute to the enhancement of the university’s academic environment, along with the development of its faculty, staff, students, and the community as a whole. Scholars from across the globe will be sharing their expertise in the field, and will be presenting collaborations of academics from world-wide institutions, further facilitating research into literature language. The event is free of charge for the GUST community and the general public.