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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.”
Service Learning workshop at the Qwaqwa Campus
2010-03-11
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At the workshop were, from the left: Dr Luzelle Naudé (Senior Lecturer: Department of Psychology), Prof. Mabel Erasmus (Head: Service Learning Division), Ms Moodi Matsoso (Coordinator Community Services – Qwaqwa Campus) and Dr Elize Smuts (Staff Development Facilitator).
Photo: Dikgapane Makhetha |
The Service Learning Division at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently held a staff enrichment session in the Senate Hall on the Qwaqwa Campus of the UFS. Staff members who are involved in Service Learning, or interested to learn more about it had an opportunity to share their experiences and ideas. The workshop presented an opportunity for the discovery of an academic niche through participants who demonstrated fervour in the initiation and development of more new Service Learning modules. The introduction of two separate skills enhancement programmes, HES717 and HES/FES522 endorsed prospects of a successful future for Service Learning and Community Engagement at the Qwaqwa Campus.