30 October 2025
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Supplied
Prof Liezel Lues, the newly elected President of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA).
The election took place on 14 October 2025 in Mexico City during the IASIA Board of Management meeting, where Prof Lues received an overwhelming 22 out of 25 votes. Describing her appointment as the pinnacle of her public service career, she reflected.
“It is a moment where hard work, dedication, and unwavering focus have truly converged, and I am deeply grateful to all those who have supported my growth and opened doors along the way.”
Prof Lues, whose term will run until 2028, was nominated by former IASIA President Dr Najat Zarrouk and endorsed by Prof Ing. Juraj Nemec, Chairperson of the International Commission on Accreditation of Public Administration (ICAPA).
Leading global collaboration in public administration
As IASIA President, Prof Lues will provide leadership and strategic direction for the association's affairs, overseeing 127 international organisations across 56 countries. Her responsibilities include appointing - subject to the approval of the incoming Board of Management - seven Vice-Presidents representing each global region: Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia.
In addition to these duties, she will be travelling extensively to strengthen global partnerships and advance IASIA’s mission of promoting excellence in public administration education and practice.
A vision for a forward-looking IASIA
Prof Lues shared that her motivation to accept this leadership role stems from a desire to contribute strategically to global collaboration and research - particularly in empowering women in academia and public service.
“As a woman in academia and leadership, I was motivated by the need to model representation and inspire others to step into leadership spaces traditionally dominated by men,’’ she explained.
Looking ahead, she envisions steering IASIA towards a more agile, forward-looking institution. Her priorities for the next three years include:
- Promoting and maintaining a collegial and collaborative organisational culture;
- Embracing digital transformation and innovation;
- Fostering cross-disciplinary, impactful research; and
- Investing in sustainable institutional development and rehabilitation strategies.
Drawing from her extensive experience - first in government and later in academia - Prof Lues expressed confidence in her ability to lead the association into a new era.
“I am confident that my vision will build on the association's previous successes and elevate it to new horizons in the coming terms,” she said.