Three Cabinet Ministers are scheduled to hold a special meeting next week to address the issues at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, currently touring the Lau Group, communicated his plans for the meeting to the media.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) recently received a mandate for a strike aimed at removing 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 ousting Professor Ahluwalia, with more than 550 individuals registered with the unions.
The unions have expressed concerns regarding Professor Ahluwalia’s governance, particularly in relation to staff welfare.
Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, along with Minister for Finance Biman Prasad, will join Mr. Radrodro in the discussions. “I have requested the permanent secretary to arrange the meeting’s agenda,” Mr. Radrodro stated. “Once I return to Suva next week, we will hold a meeting with the three Ministers. Minister for Labour, Deputy Prime Minister Prasad, and I will review the situation at USP.”