The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Professor Grace Leung, Senior Director of the UJ Postgraduate School, has been elected Vice Chair of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) Working Group 11.8 on Information Security Education, an international network advancing cybersecurity education, research and capacity development.
Prof Leung was elected during the World Conference on Information Security Education (WISE 2026), held in Perth, Australia in June 2026. Her three-year term as Vice Chair will commence in October 2026.
The appointment is a significant international recognition of Prof Leung’s expertise, scholarship and leadership in the field of information security education. It also highlights the growing contribution of UJ academics to global conversations on cybersecurity, digital resilience and the development of future-ready digital skills.
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and artificial intelligence reshapes the digital landscape, Prof Leung’s election places her among a group of international experts helping to shape the future of cybersecurity education and capacity development.
IFIP is a leading international organisation in the field of information and communication technologies, bringing together researchers, academics and practitioners to advance knowledge, collaboration and innovation in computing and information systems. Through its specialised technical committees and working groups, IFIP contributes to the development of research, education and professional practice in areas that are increasingly important in a digitally connected world.
Working Group 11.8 focuses on information security education and promotes international collaboration in cybersecurity awareness, teaching, training and professional development. It provides a platform for experts to exchange knowledge, share best practices and address emerging challenges in information security and cyber resilience.
Prof Leung said she was honoured by the confidence placed in her by colleagues in the international information security community.
“Being elected by colleagues I respect is a genuine honour. IFIP was built on the belief that technology should serve everyone, responsibly. It is precisely what drives my work in cybersecurity education. I look forward to advancing Working Group 11.8’s mission, particularly in ensuring that everyday people are not left behind as artificial intelligence makes the threat landscape more complex.”
Prof Leung’s election reflects the esteem in which she is held by her peers in the international information security community and highlights the growing contribution of UJ academics to addressing complex challenges in an increasingly digital world.
An accomplished academic with expertise in computer science, digital forensics, human-computer interaction and the application of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity and education, Prof Leung has built a distinguished career spanning teaching, research and academic leadership. Before assuming her current role as Senior Director of the UJ Postgraduate School, she served as Vice-Dean: Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Science, UJ.
Through her new role, Prof Leung will contribute to international efforts aimed at strengthening cybersecurity education and developing the knowledge and skills needed to address evolving digital security challenges across societies, economies and institutions.
