Three Cabinet Ministers are set to gather for a special meeting next week to address issues at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, currently on a tour of the Lau Group, announced his plan for the meeting.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) received a mandate on Wednesday to strike, calling for the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot revealed that over 90 percent of union members support the dismissal of Professor Ahluwalia. The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations oversaw this ballot, which saw more than 550 members participating.
The unions have accused Professor Ahluwalia of failing to uphold good governance concerning staff welfare.
The meeting will also include Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad. Radrodro stated that he has instructed the permanent secretary to prepare the meeting agenda. He emphasized that upon his return to Suva next week, the three ministers would discuss the ongoing situation at USP.