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19 October 2018
Conference evaluates impact of academia on public sector
From left: Prof Liezel Lues, ASSADPAM outgoing chairperson; Prof Mogie Subban, newly elected chairperson; Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly; and Dr Henk Boshoff, Free State Provincial Public Service Commissioner.

As part of a process to evaluate the impact of the discipline of Public Administration and Management on the performance of the public sector, the Association of Southern African Schools and Departments of Public Administration and Management (ASSADPAM) recently held a conference themed: ‘Back To The Future: Revisiting the discipline of Public Administration and Management for responsive and sustainable development in Bloemfontein’.

The University of the Free State’s Department of Public Administration and Management hosted the ASSADPAM at a critical time when the country is moving towards the 2019 general elections. Evaluations of this nature are essential in order to identify areas where improvements need to be intensified.

Prof Liezel Lues, ASSADPAM chairperson, says: “Public administration and management has been strongly influenced by several multifaceted political, economic and cultural forces globally and nationally. Now, in 2018, the discipline of Public Administration and Management is evaluating its impact on the performance of the public sector, realising its own responsibility but also that of citizens and public servants for responsive and sustainable development.”

Academics meet the business of governance

Some 114 delegates from 18 different institutions had the opportunity to interactively discuss 68 research papers which were presented from 26 to 28 September 2018. Burning challenges were tackled by prominent role players. Lechesa Tsenoli, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly presented on the Academic-Practitioner Interface, while Dr Henk Boshoff, the Free State Provincial Public Service Commissioner debated the Quality and Relevance of Research. The Quality and Credibility of Public Administration and Management training and development was the topic of a discussion fielded by Prof Thean Potgieter, the Acting Branch Head Training Policy and Planning National School of Government.

ASSADPAM honours research excellence
 
Prof Hendri Kroukamp, the Acting Vice-Rector: Academic at UFS, Prof Liza Van Jaarsveldt from the University of South Africa and Prof Michiel de Vries of Radboud University in the Netherlands co-authored the paper which scooped the prize for best conference paper. The award-winning paper titled: ‘International standards, decolonisation, curriculum considerations and public administration education’ was presented at the conference.

News Archive

Kovsies, get ready, it’s Extravaganza time
2014-09-02

It is time for the 2014 Kovsie Extravaganza, happening on 27 September – and it is going to be huge! 

The Kovsie Extravaganza is the university’s main highlight of the year on the arts and culture calendar. The aim of the event is to showcase the very best of Kovsies’ musical, dance, poetry and other talents on a grand stage in a full production.

This is where our students can experience what being a star and being part of a huge show is all about – hence the ‘Extravaganza’ element!

As every year, guest artists who are at the top of their game will feature as the main act. For 2014, there’s a load of excitement around the award-winning and youthful a cappella trio, The Soil, who will be gracing the stage. It is also an honour that the Free State Youth Orchestra, which is made up of some of the most talented students at our Odeion School of Music, will be performing as part of the show for 2014.

The Kovsie Extravaganza promises lots of thrills, excitement and a platform to celebrate who we are as a university, through song and dance. The university is also grateful to PACOFS for partnering with us and providing their expertise in making this event a resounding success.

Buy your tickets at Office no. 8 at the Thakaneng Bridge on our Bloemfontein Campus or at the PACOFS box office at the Sand du Plessis Theatre.

Ticket Prices:
Students (with student cards) – R50
Non-students – R80

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