Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address the ongoing situation at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, currently touring the Lau Group, announced his plans for the meeting to the media.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union and the Association of USP Staff recently voted to authorize a strike aimed at removing Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia. In a secret ballot conducted on Wednesday, over 90 percent of union members expressed support for Professor Ahluwalia’s dismissal. This ballot was facilitated by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations, with more than 550 members participating.
The unions have raised concerns regarding Professor Ahluwalia’s governance, specifically highlighting issues related to staff welfare.
In addition to Minister Radrodro, the meeting will include Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh, and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad. Minister Radrodro stated that he has instructed the permanent secretary to prepare the agenda for the meeting, confirming that discussions regarding USP will take place upon his return to Suva next week.