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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.”
UFS strengthens ties with university in the Netherlands
2010-04-20
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From the left are: Prof. Neil Heideman, Acting Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; Mr Johan van Niekerk, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development; and Mr Herman van de Wal, Dronten University.
Photo: Stephen Collett
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The Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (CENSARD) at the University of the Free State hosted a visiting academic and livestock specialist from Dronten University in the Netherlands, Mr Herman van der Wal.
Mr Van der Wal paid visits to Mr Arthur Johnson from the International Office; Proff. Frans Swanepoel, Director of Research Development; Neil Heideman, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; and Izak Groenewald, Director of CENSARD.
Collaboration is currently taking place between the centre and Dronten University. Future exchange of students, lecturers and academic and administrative knowledge was discussed. From next year, Dronten University will be offering a distance-learning M.Sc. in Agriculture and for this reason Mr Van der Wal looked into the model that is currently used by the centre.
The visit was very successful and doors were opened for future exchanges, including a planned visit by delegates from the centre to Dronten University later this year. |