The Seventh-day Adventist Theological University in Friedensau, Germany is one of ten universities in the nationwide competition of universities and won a prize for "One university - One book". Each award-winning university received 5,000 euros (6,000 francs) to implement their project. The ZEIT-Verlag is the cooperation partner.
The invitation to tender was issued by the Donor Associatio and the Klaus Tschira Foundation to select a book that would be discussed over a semester and put in focus in various activities. All literary types
were included, even dissertations, poetry or documentaries. The Friedensau College advertised the book "Fatigue Society" by Byung-Chul Han, thereby linking ideas and actions for employment. In short chapters, the author describes the deception of overworking and maximum precision performance in everything people do. Byung-Chul Han lives in Germany and is Professor of Philosophy and Cultural Studies at the University of the Arts in Berlin.
Prayer as a way of coping with the hectic pace
Friedensau proposal presented to the competitors was: "The Theological College offers Counseling courses and Music Therapy in order to prevent and cure mental illness. Also courses in Social Work, Health and Nursing Management. Students also learn methods for blending successfully in our society. Promoting health and prevention are important research priorities for individual professors of the university, for example in the field of Burnout because of endangered professions.”
The Department of Theology is engaged in pastoral work and spiritual well-being of fellow human beings. During internship, aspiring theologians learn pastoral care, in direct contact with the young and the elderly. Praise, meditation and prayer are practices that date back thousands of years and are a way of coping with the hustle and bustle. This practice is an important part of the student life on campus. "The book was translated in 18 languages is offered to the college students, who represent more than 30 countries, giving them an opportunity to read it in their own languages”.
Further award winners
According to the Donor's Association, "as many university members as possible, and across all ranks and boundaries, start talking and be inspired by a common theme”. With the support program, the initiators want the exchange and identification of all university members and employees to strengthen their university. "Other winners are the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden, the University of Augsburg, the Akkon-University for Human Sciences Berlin, the Bard College Berlin, the University of Bremen, the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg and the University of Saarland.
The sponsoring foundation includes around 3,000 companies, business associations, foundations and private individuals joining together to promote science and education. The Klaus Tschira Foundation supports Science, Mathematics and Computer Science as well as appreciation for these subjects.
Theological University Friedensau
Friedensau Theological College was founded in 1899 and has been a state-recognized university since 1990, sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In the fields of Christian Social Science and Theology one can receive eight B.A. and M.A. degree programs - some part-time degrees, and a course in "German as a foreign language ". Further information: www.thh-friedensau.de