Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address concerns regarding the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, currently on a ministerial tour of the Lau Group, announced his intention to convene the meeting.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU), along with the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS), received a mandate on Wednesday to strike for the removal of Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot conducted by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations revealed that over 90 percent of union members supported the move to dismiss Professor Ahluwalia, citing issues with his governance and staff welfare.
Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, as well as Minister for Finance Biman Prasad, will join Radrodro in the upcoming meeting. Radrodro stated that he has instructed the permanent secretary to prepare the meeting agenda, indicating that discussions will focus on the challenges currently faced by USP.