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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.”
Prof. Gert van Zyl, chairman of COHSASA Board
2010-10-22
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| Prof. Gert van Zyl |
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Prof. Gert van Zyl, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), was recently elected as the new Chairman of the Board of the Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA).
Prof. Van Zyl has been Head of the School of Medicine at the university since 2001 and acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences since August 2009. He is an expert in family medicine, community-health and health-professions education. He is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Universitas Private Hospital doctors’ group in Bloemfontein and a member of the Board of the Kimberley Hospital.
Prof. Van Zyl also serves on the Council of the SA Medical Association’s branch in the Free State. He also lectures undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the UFS School of Medicine.
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