Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Trailblazing win: UFS wins its first-ever Andrew Murray Prize

31 January 2024 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo ANJA AUCAMP

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

Alumni are invited to the Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony and Chancellor’s luncheon

2015-07-28

Outstanding alumni to be celebrated at the Chancellor’s luncheon on 29 August 2015.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is excited to be hosting its alumni on the Bloemfontein Campus from 28 to 29 August during Reunion Weekend 2015. In addition to semi-structured social events designed to bring together classmates from similar eras, an anchor event for the weekend will be the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award begins a tradition that honours excellent alumni who exemplify superior academic and/or human achievement. Recipients will embody the spirit of a transformed, inclusive society, and the modernised intent of the UFS.

A maximum of three (3) awards will be designated annually. This inaugural slate of recipients will set the tone for future entrants into this community of accomplished alumni. Nominations were accepted until 24 July 2015 from the university and alumni constituencies.

The Rectorate-endorsed awardees will be announced and celebrated at the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon, which will be held on Saturday 29 August 2015 at 12:00 in the Centenary Complex. Click here to purchase your tickets, the proceeds of which will go to the No Student Hungry Bursary Programme.

Please visit the alumni website for additional information about the weekend’s activities.

More articles about the #UFSReunion15:

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

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

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