Three Cabinet Ministers are set to convene today to discuss a proposal aimed at facilitating a special meeting between the Government and the University of the South Pacific (USP). Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro confirmed yesterday that he informed Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of the intention to hold this special meeting among the three ministers.
The gathering will involve Minister Radrodro, Minister for Finance Biman Prasad, and Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh. Radrodro stated, “This will be discussed on the agenda, pushing for the USP Secretary to convene a special meeting.” He noted that the next USP Council meeting is scheduled for October or November, and the ministers’ meeting is expected to take place on Monday or Tuesday.
In a related development, the Opposition has called on the Government to promptly address the internal conflict involving staff unions and the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) alongside the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) received a mandate for a strike last Wednesday aiming to remove Professor Ahluwalia, with more than 90 percent of union members supporting the strike.
Shadow Minister for Education Hem Chand highlighted that staff unions have been in dispute with university management for several months. He pointed out that the documented secret ballot results revealed significant dissatisfaction among staff towards the institution’s leadership. Chand emphasized that the USP employs a majority of Fijians, and the Fijian Government should ensure their welfare and concerns are represented within the USP Council.
He stressed that the university must prioritize enhancing the quality of education and research at USP, noting that Minister Radrodro confirmed in Parliament last week that the Government is aware of the unions’ concerns. Chand cautioned that unresolved issues could lead to strike actions, disrupting students’ learning experiences.