Maaz, tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
My name is Maaz Rashid. I am 33 years old and I live in Peshawar, Pakistan. I am qualified in Management Science and having eight years experience in the social and public sectors. I am also an entrepreneur and a social activist. Recently, I have been working with my organization Active Citizen Org, focusing on skill development and empowerment. I successfully trained about 200 candidates in these areas. I’m currently seeking a job.
How did you learn that Alison was looking for translators for its coronavirus course?
I received an email regarding the coronavirus course. I successfully completed the course and afterwards I got the opportunity to volunteer to translate it into my native language.
What was your experience of Alison before volunteering to translate? Had you studied with Alison before?
I have been following Alison for many years. I successfully expanded my qualifications and skills by learning with their courses.
Why did you offer to translate our coronavirus course?
I feeling proud to be a part of this prestigious platform. It’s a pleasure to work for the best education network.
Why is it important that everyone has access to important information on coronavirus?
Alison was the first online learning platform that offered courses regarding coronavirus awareness as per WHO guidelines. It’s very important for every individual to be well informed and aware about day to day changes in the situation. Authentic sources of information are always helpful in these conditions.
Tell us a little about your method when translating.
Before starting the translation, Alison provided a format and method for translating. Alison’s team mentioned Google Translate but mostly, Google Translate confuses the exact meaning of a sentence. I personally know enough English to be able to translate into my native language.
Why is free learning so important and why is it important to translate it into many languages?
Nowadays education is very expensive and it can also be difficult to learn due to weak education systems. Free courses are helpful for aspiring individuals. Most countries consume media in their native language so it’s very important to translate this important courses for them.
Have you been learning through Alison during the pandemic? How has the lockdown been for you?
I have learned courses online from different platforms but, comparatively, Alison’s system is very good in all areas. It’s very difficult for people to face lockdown.
What would you say to people who might be interested in translating for Alison?
I am always encouraging peoples to participate in social services. I personally mentioned in my MPhil class about Alison’s education system and philanthropic approach.
If you’d like to play your part in overcoming the coronavirus pandemic by helping Alison give people access to the information necessary to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, please get in touch.
