Three Cabinet Ministers are set 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 on a ministerial tour of the Lau Group, announced his plan for this meeting.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) recently voted in favor of a strike aimed at the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot showed that over 90 percent of the union members supported the decision to dismiss Professor Ahluwalia. The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations supervised the voting process, which saw more than 550 individuals sign up as union members.
The unions have expressed concerns regarding Professor Ahluwalia’s governance, particularly in relation to staff welfare.
The meeting will also include Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad. Minister Radrodro mentioned that he has requested the permanent secretary to draft an agenda for the meeting. “Upon my return to Suva next week, we’ll be convening a meeting with the three Ministers. Minister for Labour, Deputy Prime Minister Prasad and myself will discuss the situation at USP,” he stated.