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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.”
Vista students complete new B.Sc. programme
2007-06-18
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Students from the University of the Free State's (UFS) Vista Campus that enrolled in the four-year B.Sc. programme in 2003 at the former Vista University received their degrees during the recent autumn graduation ceremony. The students obtained their degrees within the minimum prescribed time of four years as indicated by the model developed at the Vista University. After the incorporation of the Vista University into the UFS, the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences was the first faculty to implement the new model. Later on a similar model was also introduced in the faculties of the Humanities, Law and Economic and Management Sciences. The model enables academically underdeveloped students to access the sciences and have their potential developed in a foundation year added to the customary three-year B.Sc. programme. Pictured here with the students are Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences) and next to him is Mrs Sheila Vrahimis (Lecturer in Concepts of General Science at the UFS). All the graduates are former students of Ms Vrahimis.
Photo: Supplied
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