Three Cabinet Ministers are scheduled to hold a special meeting next week to address issues at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, who is currently touring the Lau Group, announced the intention for this meeting to the press.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) recently received a mandate for a strike aimed at the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot conducted by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations showed that over 90 percent of union members voted in favor of his dismissal.
More than 550 individuals have registered as members of these unions, which have expressed concerns about Professor Ahluwalia’s governance concerning staff welfare.
The upcoming meeting will include Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad. Minister Radrodro stated that he has asked the permanent secretary to prepare the agenda for the meeting. He noted that upon his return to Suva next week, the three ministers will discuss the situation at USP.