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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.”
Dr Idriss Aberkane to discuss brain ergonomics, knowledge economy and geopolitics on 23 September 2015
2015-09-22

The former Deputy-Chairperson of the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS), and currently the CEO of Alexander Forbes, Mr Edward Kieswetter, will be a guest speaker at the UFS Business School.
Details of the event
Date: 23 September 2015
Time: 10:00 -12:00
Venue: CR Swart Auditorium
RSVP: Elvira Oberholzer (oberholzereh@ufs.ac.za)
Mr Kieswetter will be accompanied by Dr Idriss Aberkane, a French thinker, entrepreneur and academic who is also co-founder and CEO of Scanderia Ltd. Scanderia is a neuroergonomic gaming company based in Paris and Melbourne. Dr Aberkane is also co-founder and board member of Eirin International Ltd – an interest-free microcredit company based in Richard Toll, Senegal.
The session presents an opportunity for MBA students, student leaders, the university community and members of the media to gain insight into cutting edge fields of brain ergonomics, knowledge economy and geopolitics of knowledge.
The guest speaker series forms part of the MBA programme held at the UFS Business School throughout the year.