PRAGUE, Czech Republic — The International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) of the European Baptist Federation (EBF), based in Prague in the Czech Republic, concluded its 53rd academic year with a graduation and valediction service held recently in the seminary chapel.
Presenting the diplomas and giving the graduation address was Pastor Billy Taranger from Norway, vice president of the EBF. The Rector, Keith G. Jones, presided and those being awarded diplomas and valedicted were presented by Parush R. Parushev, the deputy academic dean. Seventeen students graduated with certificates in applied theology. They represented nine countries. Nine students were valedicted in the masters of theology program, having completed the modular work and as they prepared to write their dissertations.
In his address Taranger referred to the IBTS as a special institution serving the 51 Baptist unions and conventions of the European Baptist Federation and preparing young people for special service, missions and leadership throughout Europe and the Middle East.
During the course of the ceremony Jan Lachman of the Czech Government Accreditation Commission presented documentation to the seminary confirming state recognition as an institution of theological education within the higher education (University) sector in the Czech Republic and also granting the authority of the state to IBTS to award a Czech magister in theology degree. This is in addition to the master and doctoral degree programs of IBTS that are validated by the University of Wales in Great Britain.
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