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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.”
Dean appointed as chairperson of a national education forum
2012-01-31
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Prof. Dennis Francis, Dean of our Faculty of Education discusses his responsibilities as chairperson for the Education Deans Forum with ms. Jana van Wyk form HESA.
Photo: Renè-Jean van der Berg |
Prof. Dennis Francis, our Dean of Education and a proud Kovsie, was recently appointed as the Chairperson for the Education Deans Forum (EDF) of South Africa.
The EDF is a national forum established under the auspices of Higher Education South Africa (HESA), to share experience, expertise and concerns related to the responsibilities of faculties of education.
The purpose of the forum is to promote the interests of education in South Africa by providing the opportunity for deans to discuss matters of concern to them and their faculties in the fulfilment of their responsibilities for teacher education and the disciplined study of education.
Faculties of Education at public higher education institutions in South Africa carry two distinct, but linked responsibilities.
One is to foster independent inquiry (research) in the broad field of education. The other is the education of professional teachers (primarily for the schooling and FET colleges system), but also for professional teachers in other sites. The education of teachers includes both initial and continuing professional education.
The forum meets four times a year.
Prof. Francis said: “Faculties of education carry a special responsibility for the future of education in South Africa. The EDF will continue to promote the interests of education in South Africa by providing the opportunity for Education Deans to discuss matters of concern to them and their Faculties in the fullfilment of their responsibilities for teacher education and the disciplined study of education.”