The first month of Voruganti Srinivas's (India) presidency at the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) has been marked by an intense agenda focused on building a more united, innovative, and globally connected institution. Since his election on June 3, Srinivas, who also serves as Secretary of India's Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), has demonstrated a strong commitment to dialogue and collaboration, laying the groundwork for his tenure.
The presidency initiated its term with a series of weekly meetings with the IIAS Secretariat. These sessions were crucial for sharing the Institute's vision, which is firmly rooted in academic excellence and institutional unity. This collaborative approach emphasized understanding the Secretariat's operations and incorporating the team's perspectives into the leadership's mandate.
Enhanced Engagement with EGPA and IASIA
A key focus during this initial period has been strengthening engagement with the IIAS's entities. The new IIAS presidency fostered constructive dialogue with both the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA) and the European Group of Public Administration (EGPA), underscoring the fundamental values of multilateralism and institutional integrity that guide the IIAS's mission.
A virtual meeting was convened on July 2, involving Chairpersons of the EGPA Permanent Study Groups, EGPA Steering Committee Members, and IIAS Council of Administration members. Discussions centered on critical EGPA matters and outlining future collaborative steps.
The new presidency's proactive engagement also extended to IASIA, with President Srinivas attending a virtual meeting of the IASIA Board of Management, chaired by Dr. Najat Zarrouk, President of IASIA. The IIAS leadership received a warm welcome and leveraged the platform to articulate the Institute's forward-looking vision, stressing the importance of sustained global collaboration.
A Comprehensive Strategic Outlook: Digital Transformation and Inclusivity
In an interview published on June 13, IIAS President Srinivas articulated a strategic vision for the Institute, aiming to transform it into a global knowledge institution of public administration excellence. This vision seeks to make the IIAS future-ready, inclusive, and digitally agile, significantly enhancing its pivotal role in public administration worldwide as it approaches its centenary in 2030. Drawing from nearly four decades of civil service experience, he calls for: “Collaboration without borders, knowledge without boundaries, and governance without exclusion.”
Key priorities for this leadership term's initial months include ensuring a smooth and inclusive transition, reinforcing institutional unity, and substantially enhancing digital engagement. Plans are already in motion to establish a Global Digital Governance Hub within the IIAS, focusing on researching and disseminating best practices in digital transformation. The Institute also aims to increase regional representation in publications and strengthen South-South cooperation as core strategic objectives.
The inaugural month under the new leadership underscores the renewed IIAS's emphasis on deliberate action and strategic planning. This period has set a pathway to position the Institute to foster collaboration, expand its global reach, and reinforce its standing in improving public governance research, education and practice worldwide.
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