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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.”
Extension of the academic calendar
2016-03-21
At the Senate meeting which was held on 29 February 2016, a resolution was taken to extend the academic calendar by one week to make up for the lost academic week as a result of the recent student protest action. In particular, it was decided that the commencement of the mid-year exams be postponed by one week. The Faculty of Health Sciences was the only faculty that was allowed to stick to the initial dates.
At its meeting of 2 March 2016, Rectorate discussed this matter and resolved to endorse the resolution of Senate, namely that the mid-year exams will be postponed by one week and that only the Faculty of Health Sciences can stick to the original dates as stipulated in the calendar.
Undergraduate lectures
(Excluding Faculty of Health Sciences)
First semester
Lectures start: 1 February 2016
Lectures end: 20 May 2016
8-credit modules
1 February 2016 - 1 April 2016
11 April 2016 - 20 May 2016
Holiday: 22 - 24 March 2016
Easter Weekend: 25 - 28 March 2016
Main mid-year examinations
Start: 23 May 2016
End: 11 June 2016
Additional mid-year examinations
Start: 13 June 2016
End: 4 July 2016
End of first semester: 8 July 2016
Holiday: 11 July 2016 - 15 July 2016
Second semester
Undergraduate lectures
(Excluding Faculty of Health Sciences)
Lectures start: 18 July 2016
Lectures end: 21 October 2016
8 Credit modules
18 July 2016 - 2 September 2016
5 September 2016 - 21 October 2016
Holiday: 3 - 7 October 2016
Main end-of-year examinations
Starts: 24 October 2016
Ends: 12 November 2016
Additional end-of-year examinations
Starts: 14 November 2016
Ends: 3 December 2016
End of Second Semester
9 December 2016
UFS holiday: 8 August 2016.
UFS recess from: 20 December 2016 - 3 January 2017.