Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address issues at the Laucala Bay Campus of the University of the South Pacific (USP). Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, currently touring the Lau Group, announced his intention for this gathering.
Recently, the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) received authorization for a strike aimed at the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot conducted by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations revealed that over 90 percent of union members voted in favor of Professor Ahluwalia’s dismissal, with more than 550 individuals registered as members.
The unions have expressed concerns about Professor Ahluwalia’s governance, specifically regarding staff welfare.
The upcoming meeting will also include Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad. Radrodro confirmed that he has requested the permanent secretary to prepare the meeting agenda. He stated, “Upon my return to Suva next week, we’ll convene a meeting with the three Ministers to discuss the situation at USP.”