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31 January 2024
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Story EDZANI NEPHALELA
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Photo ANJA AUCAMP
Dr Martin Laubscher’s thesis, crowned with the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize, is testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to scholarly excellence.
In a historic triumph that reverberates over four decades since its inception, the UFS has clinched the coveted
Andrew Murray Prize – now renamed the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize – for the first time. Standing shoulder to shoulder with institutions such as the University of Pretoria (UP) and Stellenbosch University (SU), this achievement marks a significant milestone in the UFS’ journey.
At the heart of this accomplishment lies the profound contribution of
Dr Martin Laubscher, distinguished Senior Lecturer specialising in Practical and Missional Theology in the
Faculty of Theology and Religion. Dr Laubscher’s dedication and scholarly prowess culminated in the groundbreaking work titled
Publieke teologie as profetiese teologie? (Public theology as prophetic theology), a revised edition of his doctoral thesis, which was originally crafted at Stellenbosch University in 2020, with a focus on the eminent Karl Barth.
Dr Laubscher received the Andrew Murray Prize for Theological Books in Afrikaans for his research and insightful analysis. The journey started when he realised, under the guidance of his study leader,
Prof Dion Forster, that his script had the potential to be published in Afrikaans. Sun Media’s interest in publishing this work in Afrikaans, led to it being the first-ever published thesis in Afrikaans. Dr Laubscher recalls, “I was grateful and excited about Sun Media’s interest. The book emerged within a year, and during a celebratory launch Prof Forster suggested I submit it for the Andrew Murray Prize.”
Earlier this year, Dr Laubscher was excited to learn that he was being shortlisted for the prestigious award. Reflecting on the significant moment, he shares, “The elation I felt upon receiving the news was unparalleled. I was not only celebrating a personal triumph, but also etching my name as the first laureate from our faculty to secure this prestigious accolade.”
ULM staff attend MIDP symposium in Belgium
2009-10-14
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Staff members of the Unit for Language Management (ULM) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently returned from the second international MIDP symposium, “Multilingualism from below”, which was held at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. The symposium arose from a co-operation project between the Province of Antwerp (also the sponsos of the project), the Free State Province and the UFS.
In terms of this agreement, assistance is provided to the Free State Province with regard to the development and consolidation of institutional multilingualism. Research concerning aspects of multilingualism arises from this focus. Such research has been undertaken within the area where the UFS’s KhulaXhariep Project is being conducted since 2008. Three of the papers that were delivered at the congress covered aspects of multilingualism from below, as encountered in the Xhariep. Other papers delivered by members of the ULM focused on problematic aspects of language-related issues in South Africa.
Ms Chrismi-Rinda Kotzé, research assistant and MA student at the ULM, was the recipient of an award for the best lecture delivered by a pre-doctoral student at an MIDP symposium. She shares the prize with Cécile Petitjean. A total of 8 of the 35 lectures at the symposium were delivered by pre-doctoral students from various countries. Ms Kotzé was the only South African student at the symposium. Pictured are the delegates who attended the symposium.
Photo: Supplied |