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26 February 2018 Photo Eugene Seegers
Dutch scholar honours Faculty of Theology and Religion with special book dedication
Prof Bram van de Beek hands over his book, Mijn Vader, uw Vader, which contains his dedication to the UFS Faculty of Theology and Religion, to Prof Fanie Snyman, Dean of the faculty.

While surveying recent publications, staff members at the Faculty of Theology and Religion discovered, almost by coincidence, that a world-renowned systematic theologian and professor emeritus of the Free University Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) in the Netherlands, Prof Bram van de Beek, had dedicated his most recent volume on Systematic Theology to the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the UFS in Bloemfontein.

Even before Prof Fanie Snyman, Dean of this faculty, had any knowledge of this special honour, Prof Van de Beek was invited to conduct the Scripture reading and sermon on the programme of the University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Theology and Religion’s official opening and Theological Day. This event provided the perfect opportunity for Prof Van de Beek to officially hand a copy of his book over to the faculty.

Prof Van de Beek accepted the invitation and on 19 February 2018 conducted the sermon in the Odeion Theatre at the UFS based on the theme of the Theological Day, Reconciliation: Biblical imperative and the South African reality. He then formally presented his book, with the title Mijn Vader, uw Vader, which contains the dedication, to Prof Snyman, saying: “It is an honour for me to have the opportunity to present my book today. It was a pleasure for me to dedicate it to the Faculty of Theology and Religion in Bloemfontein. I did so because of my great appreciation for the work these colleagues are doing.”

'It was a pleasure for me
to dedicate this book to the
UFS Faculty of Theology and Religion.'
—Prof Bram van de Beek
Dutch Systematical Theologian
and Dogmatician

Prof Van de Beek continued: “They keep to academic standards in difficult circumstances. It is not only the pressure of ‘publish or perish’ which must be resisted, but also the pressure of society, and most of all, of church members who want an adapted theology according to their desires. True theology, like any academic discipline, is interested in the truth and is not based on interests. I notice the courage by colleagues of this faculty to keep to this standard in both the training of students and in their research. They even had the courage to reflect on the very rationale of the existence of theology at a public university. Nothing can be taken for granted, for at the very moment we do so in the university, we lose our critical attitude, which is the basis for academic work. So it is with great esteem that I dedicated my book to this faculty.”

In his acceptance, Prof Snyman expressed his utmost appreciation that a European theologian of worldwide renown would take note of a university and faculty so far removed from his sphere of activity.

News Archive

Lots of inspiration at Autumn Graduation Ceremony
2013-04-18

 

Graduates celebrate the results of years of study at the graduation ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
17 April 2013

Live streaming of ceremonies available from 16 April - 19 April 2013: http://www.ufs.ac.za/ufslivestreaming/

Joshua Johnson YouTube video

The university’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony got off to a vibrant start with energetic performances and inspiring messages for graduates.

Joshua Johnson, an American student who uses his talent for tap-dancing to fund his tertiary education, mesmerised the audience on the first of the four-day graduation ceremony with his story of hope and perseverance. The student from Penn State University travels five hours by bus to New York every weekend where he tap-dances on the subway trains to earn money for his tuition fees.

Delivering a keynote address, Joshua told graduates that, in order to achieve their goals, they have to understand and work diligently with the 24 hours they get to live daily. “Start with a bang and end with a bang,” he said, encouraging the audience in the nearly-packed Callie Human Centre to join him in a rhythmic tap-dancing beat.

“Don’t follow in the footsteps of someone else. Take the beat of life, but add your rhythm to it," his wise words resonating with the exhilarated graduates.

Joshua will be the guest speaker at the ceremonies on 16, 17 and 19 April 2013 and will deliver a dance item during each occasion.

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the University, echoed Joshua‘s message, telling graduates not to be discouraged by life’s difficulties.

“Take what you have learned over the last three or four years and use that knowledge to reach your goal,” he advised.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, encouraged them to continue to study. “To break the cycle of poverty, get an education, get a degree.” He told them that as graduates they are ten times more likely to get a job, with the odds rising as they continue their postgraduate studies.

Well-known radio host and Idols South Africa judge, Gareth Cliff, will be the guest speaker at two ceremonies on 18 April 2013. He will be joined by Vicus Visser, the South African YouTube singing sensation. Dubbed Bloemfontein’s Justin Bieber, Vicus and his brother Vincent will perform during these two ceremonies.

The programme for the respective ceremonies is:

Wednesday 17 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Education.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology.

Thursday 18 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Agricultural Sciences and Architecture.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Natural Sciences.

Friday 19 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: all diplomas and degrees in the Faculty, except BCom and BComHons.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: only BCom and BComHons.

The Qwaqwa Campus’ graduation ceremony will take place on 8 June 2013. Diplomas/certificates up to and including doctorates will be awarded at this ceremony.

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