Visiting Professor from Estonia Teaches for a Semester in Prague

The Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University in Prague (PTF) has a wide range of contacts with partner institutions in a number of different countries. This was demonstrated again recently when for the first time a visiting professor from Estonia came to Prague and taught courses at the PTF in the winter semester of 2013-14.

Associate Professor Ain Riistan teaches New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology at the University of Tartu and Tartu Theological Seminary. The idea of him spending this sabbatical semester in Prague, funded through the Mobility Fund of Charles University, arose out of his personal contacts with PTF teachers. In addition to carrying out research in the PTF library, Dr. Riistan offered two courses, taught in English: "Religion in Action: Fundamentalism", and "Science and Religion in the Historical Jesus Research". The courses were a valuable addition to the range of courses offered in English at the PTF each year. They were attended not only by international exchange students, but also by Czech students who were attracted by the subjects dealt with in the courses.

It is hoped that Dr. Riistan's stay in Prague will lead to further contacts between the PTF and Tartu in the future.