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Prof Liezel Lues elected President of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration

30 October 2025 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

Prof Liezel Lues, Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Management at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been elected as the 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.

News Archive

UFS cracks down on crime on campus

2006-03-15

A comprehensive plan to step up the security on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein, was approved by the Executive Management (EM) this week.

“The plan briefly comprises of the introduction of reasonable and affordable measures that will promote a safe campus and working environment,” said Rev Kiepie Jaftha, Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS.

“With the plan we want to try and create a user friendly, but safe campus,” said Rev Jaftha.

The plan is the result of an intensive investigation about campus security done by an EM task team.

The following measures will be implemented immediately in phases:

The five current vehicle entrances and exits will remain (i.e. the gate at Nelson Mandela Avenue, the gate at Roosmaryn, the gate at Agriculture, the Wynand Mouton Avenue gate and the Furstenburg Road gate).

The number of smaller pedestrian gates will be reduced and security at those remaining will be increased.
The fences around the campus will remain, upgraded and patrolled on a daily basis.

The security measures at high risk areas (e.g. the Kovsie Church) will be stepped up and the fences in these areas will be electrified.

Vehicle exit control will be stepped up at the gates by means of a mixture of electronic and compulsory visual security control.

Public areas, streets and footpaths will be patrolled and shrubs and trees will be cut and pruned. The streets, footpaths and buildings will also be lit.

Speed reducing mechanisms will be implemented before and after the security control points at all the gates.
Additional staff will be appointed to facilitate the flow of traffic at the gates.

“Over and above these measures, the EM also approved in principle the installation of electronic equipment at all the entrance gates. This will include the installation of cameras,” said Rev Jaftha.

According to Rev Jaftha the installation of the electronic equipment will be complemented by the compulsory cutting and restarting of engines for all vehicles exiting the gates. The measure has been in force since 1 February 2006.

Last year special measures were put in place to safeguard residences and their inhabitants when security guards were placed at all the ladies residences. These measures will stay in force.

“Regular audits will be done to determine the effectiveness of the strategies and systems. Although crime in and around the campus grounds can never be completely eradicated, we want to strive to create an environment on campus and in the workplace where it can be limited,” he said.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
15 March 2006

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