Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
31 January 2024 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo ANJA AUCAMP
Dr Martin Laubscher
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.”

News Archive

UFS to host alumni from across the globe during Reunion Weekend 2015 – 28 to 29 August 2015
2015-07-10

The University of the Free State (UFS) will host alumni from across the globe on the Bloemfontein Campus during its Reunion Weekend 2015 from 28 - 29 August 2015.

Semi-structured social events will bring together classmates from similar eras. On Friday evening (28 August 2015), those who graduated from the university during the 60s and 70s will gather at the Centenary Complex, while those who graduated in the 80s and 90s will convene at the new Economic and Management Sciences foyer.

On Saturday evening, there will be a reception hosted by the senior leadership for alumni who have graduated since 2000 at the Economic and Management Sciences foyer.

Each gathering will have a short programme led by at least one member of those graduating classes, followed by an informal reception. All alumni are invited to attend the weekend’s activities. Click here for the programme of events or visit the alumni website for more information.

Celebrations will include a concert with Freshly Ground and the Muses as guest artists. Tickets will be sold through Computicket.

Proceeds will be donated to the No Student Hungry Bursary programme.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award

In celebrating the achievements of alumni over the years, nominations have been invited for the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognises outstanding alumni who have demonstrated excellence through their academic or human achievements in their chosen areas of expertise and influence. Click here for the nomination form.

The Chancellor will present the alumni awards at a ceremony to be held during the Chancellor’s luncheon at the Centenary Complex on 29 August 2015 at 12:00.

Please note that the nomination deadline has been changed to 24 July 2015.

For further information, contact the UFS Alumni Office at +27(0)51 4019343 / email: alumni@ufs.ac.za

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept