A scheduled meeting of the Fiji National University (FNU) Council has been abruptly canceled following a directive from the government, which has left the council feeling “shut out” from important decision-making processes. Chairman Semesa Karavaki expressed his concerns in a telephone interview, revealing that the council had been informed that the meeting, originally planned for Thursday, would not take place due to a decision made at the government level after FNU was reassigned to the Prime Minister’s oversight.
This cancellation comes just days after the council directed Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba to submit all senior appointments, from heads of departments upward, for council approval, a requirement stated in Section 15 of the FNU Act. Mr. Karavaki highlighted that the directive was issued the previous week, and the government’s sudden reassignment of FNU seemed unusually prompt.
Mr. Karavaki also noted that the council had recently completed internal investigations into complaints within the university. These investigations uncovered issues regarding staff progression and minimum qualification requirements, areas the council aimed to address. He suggested that the reassignment might be perceived as an effort to shield the vice-chancellor from potential disciplinary actions, especially given that her contract expires next month.
Furthermore, Mr. Karavaki indicated that the council had not been informed or consulted about the reassignment and was left out of discussions between government officials and Professor Nabobo-Baba. This lack of communication raises questions about the decision-making process and the relationship between the university leadership and government authorities.
Despite the challenging situation, the FNU Council remains committed to addressing issues within the university and ensuring that governance protocols are followed. This situation presents an opportunity for increased dialogue and collaboration between the council and the government to foster a transparent and accountable educational environment in Fiji.
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