Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address the ongoing situation at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Aseri Radrodro, the Minister for Education, who is currently on a ministerial tour of the Lau Group, announced his plans for this meeting.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) received a mandate on Wednesday to initiate a strike aimed at removing the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot conducted among union members showed that over 90 percent supported the motion for Professor Ahluwalia’s dismissal. The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations facilitated this ballot, which saw more than 550 individuals participating as union members.
The unions have expressed concerns regarding Professor Ahluwalia’s governance, particularly in relation to staff welfare.
The upcoming meeting will include Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, along with Minister for Finance Biman Prasad, who will join Mr. Radrodro in the discussions. “I have asked the permanent secretary to prepare the meeting agenda,” stated Mr. Radrodro. He added, “Upon my return to Suva next week, we’ll convene a meeting with the three Ministers to discuss the USP situation.”