Hyderabad. February 11: It was the love for the language that made Sheikh Ibrahim, a native of Tamil Nadu, pursue a masters degree in Arabic language from English and Foreign Languages (EFL) University. Though he had misgivings about how it would help him build a career ,he was surprised when he was hired by a multi national company (MNC) offering him a lucrative pay even before he finished his course.
Of late, there are has been a spurt in job openings for Arabic language professionals as many MNCs handle operations based in gulf and middle east countries. Ibrahim now works as a proof reader for a pharmaceutical company based in Saudi Arabia, whose profile is managed by an MNC in Hyderabad. “Apart from the pay, the job also helps me improve my language,” he says.
Another employee of a popular MNC, Nazeer Hussain says: “I initially started learning Arabic to become a lecturer in it. But later many translation jobs started coming my way and I decided to take up a job in an employment portal with operations in Arabic speaking nations.”
Ex-chairperson of Centre for Arabic Studies, EFLU Syed Jahangir says: “Earlier, there were no proper institutions for the language. But now, the situation has changed.” He credits MNCs for how language is now being chosen as a profession. “The MNCs need language professionals leading to an increase in employment opportunities,” he says.
–Agencies