Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific (USP), is facing significant backlash from staff as two unions advocate for his removal. The strike, now in its fourth day, has prompted calls for more communication from senior management, according to Rosalia Fatiaki, general secretary of the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff Association (AUSPS).
Amidst the unrest, Ahluwalia has received criticism for his absence, with observers noting that he has not been present to address the concerns of the striking staff. A statement from USP indicated that he is engaged in official duties regionally, having recently participated in important events, including the opening of a new campus in the Solomon Islands and attending a graduation ceremony in Tonga.
The statement also announced that he is currently leading a USP delegation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, where the university is involved in various activities, including the announcement of scholarships by King Charles III. However, the unions argue that his commitments away from the Laucala Campus come at a time of critical need.
Fatiaki pointed out that while issues at the Laucala Campus escalate, Ahluwalia was last week traveling to Vanuatu and is now in Samoa, where it seems USP is not participating in any significant events, adding to the frustration. She emphasized that the unions are not politicizing the matter but are steadfast in their position regarding leadership representation at the university.