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| | Main Index | MASTERS DEGREE IN COPTIC STUDIES AT MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY
13th August 2004
Beloved Sons and Daughters,
?Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come? (Revelation 1:4).
On Saturday the 29th of November 2003, a historic event occurred. The church, as represented by myself, signed an agreement with the Vice Chancellor of Macquarie University, Professor Dianne Yerbury. This agreement deals with the financial co-operation between our community and the university in order to establish the world?s first Master of Arts degree in Coptic Studies at Macquarie University.
The intention is that the Master of Arts program in Coptic Studies is to commence in the first academic semester of 2005 (March 2005). This course will be the first course at the University to be offered completely online. The online initiative was of our insistence as we saw that millions of Copts living around the world could benefit from, and help sustain, the program.
Macquarie University is already the leading Australian institution for the study of Egyptology, as well as Early Christian Studies. The university is also world renowned for its historical and cultural studies.
Our hope is to emulate this success in the area of Coptic Studies. The introduction of Coptic Studies is a pioneering step that will place Macquarie University at the forefront in this discipline. The Director of the Australian Centre for Egyptology, Professor Naguib Kanawati, commented: "In certain European and American universities you can study the Coptic language - after you first get a degree in Egyptology. And although the Coptic civilisation is very rich, it is often neglected and not as well researched as other eras in Egyptian history. But what we want to do at Macquarie University is correct this situation by covering the whole culture of this very important period in human history? By offering the world's first-ever Master of Arts in Coptic Studies in 2005, we are filling an important gap in the academic study of human history and culture.?
The Masters degree in Coptic Studies will focus on the Coptic civilisation as an independent subject of study. The course will consider the whole of the Coptic period ? from the time that Christianity was first introduced into Egypt in approximately 42 AD, until the arrival of Islam in the 7th Century.
The MA course will consist of 8 units, which cover the following aspects of the Coptic civilization: language, literature, art, iconography, architecture, monasticism and early church history.
In May of this year, the position for a full-time lecturer in Coptic Studies was advertised internationally. And then in June, four of the best candidates were invited to give public lectures at the University (three of the candidates were flown in from Germany, and the fourth candidate was local). This public lecture gave the Coptic community, who were invited to attend, a say on who their preferred candidate was. For the university was not only interested in employing a scholar with high academic credentials, but a scholar who has strong teaching skills, and a willingness and ability to develop a good relationship with the Coptic community in Sydney.
And then, by the grace of God, in July 2004, Dr Heike Behlmer was appointed by Macquarie University to be the first full-time lecturer in Coptic Studies. Dr Behlmer will arrive in Sydney in October 2004, and until the beginning of the first semester 2005, she will work to build the MA in Coptic Studies course on-line, as well as begin the preparation for the coursework to commence in first semester 2005.
OUR VISION
Our Vision is simple: We wish to develop a centre of excellence for the study of Coptic Studies at Macquarie University.
This briefly entails the following:
The development of high standard academic and research programmes to be offered to students enrolled at the university. This academic programme will be designed to cater for people who are both keen on high level academic research in Coptic Studies, and those who wish to study just for personal interest.
The development of high standard courses to be offered online on the internet. This will mean that people from anywhere around the world can enrol in this program. All they need is a computer and an internet connection.
The development of world class resources and library facilities for Coptic Studies. These facilities will provide the backbone for high calibre research and study.
The development of a Coptic Museum. This will help increase the awareness in the Australian community in general, of our unique culture and faith.
The support of the preservation of our Coptic culture and heritage. This will be achieved through active participation and sponsorship of archaeological & conservation projects. The newly appointed lecturer, accompanied by students, will take part in projects in Egypt that will help restore our old churches and monasteries, which are currently being neglected.
The Lord has graciously opened a great opportunity for the Copts of Sydney. It is a unique opportunity, to not only help preserve our faith and culture for generations to come, but also an opportunity to be a part of history as today we are making it. This opportunity is not available anywhere else in the world, with sadness I say most especially in our beloved mother country Egypt. However, it is our hope that Copts in America and Europe will eventually emulate us, and centres for excellence for the study of Coptic history will be established in universities around the world.
Accordingly, we kindly request that you support this initiative. You can support us in many ways. You can help financially support the program by providing a tax deductible donation that will contribute to the establishment of the course. But more effectively, you can enrol in the course. By enrolling in the course you help sustain it and help establish it permanently for generations to come. Or you could spread the word amongst friends, colleagues and Copts around the world or dedicate your services to help establish this course.
If you wish to support this initiative, or have any questions about the program, please refer to the contacts on the following webpage: www.coptic.mq.edu.au/index.html
May God Bless you and thank you for your support.
Daniel
With the Grace of God
Bishop of Sydney & Affiliated Regions,
Singapore, Thailand & Japan |
| Section | Description | | Lecturer's Corner | Details about Dr. Heike Behlmer - The head lecturer of the Masters degree in Coptic Studies | | Application Instructions | Master of Arts in Coptic Studies - Application Procedures
| | Student Testimonials 2005 | Student Testimonials 2005 - Some of the students who commenced an MA in Coptic Studies in 2005, provide their comments on the new degree | | News | The latest news and announcements relating to the Masters in Coptic Studies at Macquarie University | | Events | Details of the latest events relating to the Masters of Coptic Studies at Macquarie University | | Contact | Contact Details for Lecturers and Staff for Masters in Coptic Studies Degree |
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