Three Cabinet Ministers are set 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, currently on a ministerial tour of the Lau Group, announced his plans for the meeting to the media.
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 the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot conducted by the unions showed that over 90 percent of members are in favor of Professor Ahluwalia’s dismissal. This ballot was supervised by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations, and more than 550 individuals have registered as members.
The unions have expressed concerns regarding Professor Ahluwalia’s governance, particularly regarding staff welfare.
In addition to Minister Radrodro, the meeting will also include Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad. Radrodro stated, “I have requested the permanent secretary to organize the agenda for the meeting. Upon my return to Suva next week, we will convene a meeting with the three Ministers to discuss the situation at USP.”