Chairman

Prof Leboli Zak Thamae is an Associate Professor in Electronic Communications Engineering in the Department of Physics & Electronics (DoPE) at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) and current Coordinator of the NUL’s Energy Research Centre. He is the former Head of DoPE (2010 – 2016) and former Dean of the Faculty of Science & Technology (2020 – 2021). He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Physics and Mathematics (First Class) from NUL, a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Communication Engineering (Distinction) from University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST) and a Doctorate (PhD) in Microwave and Communications Systems from the University of Manchester (UK).

 Prof Thamae is an IoDSA-certified director with strong interest and exposure in strategic leadership, corporate governance, policy, reform and regulation of infrastructure services (telecommunications, broadcasting and electricity). He is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for LEC Communications (January 2020 to date) and also the current Chairperson of the Higher Education Quality Assurance Committee (HEQAC) of the Council on Higher Education (December 2022 to date). He previously served as a Board Member (2011 – 2014) and Chairman of the Board of Directors (2014 – 2017) for the Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA). Prof Thamae was also the Chair of the Expert Panel, set up by the OACPS Secretariat under the Policy Support Facility (PSF) Service, which developed a Research and Innovation (R&I) Policy Recommendation Report for Lesotho (June – December 2021).

His research interests cover various applications of computational modelling (simulation and optimization) tools including digital communications systems (MATLAB), antenna design (CST Microwave Studio), telecommunication and RF networks (Radio Mobile), energy/electricity demand and supply (MAED, MESSAGE), electrification network planning (OnSET/GEP, GISEle), hybrid renewable energy systems (HOMER) and integration of renewable energy generators into the electricity grid (DigSILENT). He has made several presentations and published articles and technical reports in reputable international conferences and peer-reviewed journals