Human Language Technology for Development Conference (HLTD 2011)
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The BA hosted the Human Language Technology for Development Conference (HLTD 2011) held from 2 to 5 May 2011, and attended by more than 65 language technology researchers from different countries.
HLTD 2011 mainly aimed at providing common grounds for researchers and specialists in the field of Human Language Technology (HLT), users of the technology and the policy makers planning the use of HLT in national development projects. Discussions and presentation revolved around the software localization for access to knowledge especially in poor communities in developing countries.
Participants also discussed some technical challenges and best practices in terms of software localization and the technological challenges when dealing with different languages such as Swahili, Urdu, and others. The use of HLT in development, HLT challenges in developing countries, and the importance of identifying the needs and priorities of end-users were also highlighted.
The Conference organizers chose the BA in particular as a co-organizer of the vent in recognition of its role as a pioneer in the development of Arabic Language Technology through Ibrahim Shihata Arabic Universal Networking Language (UNL) Center, whose work mainly focuses on building the fundamental linguistic corpus of Arabic language in the UNL program- a United Nations devised program.
For more information, please visit the HLTD 2011 website.