From left to right: Prof. Albert Strydom: Dean of Management Sciences; Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research Innovation and Engagement; Prof. David Ngidi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof. Tryna Van Niekerk: Newly promoted Professor, Prof. Pamela Dube, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, and Mr Nemutshili Mili: Director: Financial Operations.

The Inaugural Professorial Lecture constitutes an important date in the university calendar. It is a full sitting of the Senate and is regarded as a pinnacle of academic hierarchy and scholarship. CUT awards these to academics who are highly accomplished and widely recognised among their peers. Prof. Tryna Van Niekerk is among a few of many academics at CUT who have distinguished themselves with their work.  

On 02 June 2023, the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) inducted Professor Tryna Van Niekerk as a full professor.

Prof. Van Niekerk is an expert in Government Management and the Head of the Government Management Department in the Faculty of Management Sciences, with many years of experience and numerous publications.

Her inaugural address, titled: Ethics, Oversight, and Accountability: Efficacy and Failure, takes a descriptive and analytical approach to provide insight into key observations made by the efficacy of ethics, oversight, and accountability in the South African public sector.

In her address, Prof. Pamela Dube, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, mentioned that the professorial inaugural address is a full academic address of the senate. “This occasion is to honour and celebrate academics for their excellent work, achievements, and prowess as researchers of note in their respective fields.

Her lecture directed our thoughts into ethics, oversight, and accountability: efficacy and failure- a subject dear to her. Her lecture allowed universities, state organs and civil society to re-examine their roles, thinking on ethics, and desire for clean governance in public and private sectors.

Prof. Van Niekerk holds a PhD in Public Management (CUT), a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) in Public Management (US), a Certificate in Military Management (UNISA), an Advanced Diploma in Public Management and Governance (University of Stellenbosch), and an Advanced Diploma in Higher Education (ADHE) with Distinction (UFS).

She has vast knowledge and experience in government and higher education. She served in middle management at the SANDF as a Senior Lecturer and programme head, acting Director and Acting Dean in the Faculty of Management Sciences, and Associate Professor. In addition, she is a full Professor at the Central University of Technology, Free State.