Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address issues at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, who is currently touring the Lau Group, announced his plans for the meeting to the media.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) recently secured a mandate for a strike aimed at the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot conducted by the unions revealed that over 90 percent of members were in favor of dismissing Professor Ahluwalia.
The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations supervised the secret ballot, which saw the participation of more than 550 members. The unions have raised concerns regarding Professor Ahluwalia’s governance, particularly in relation to staff welfare.
In addition to Radrodro, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad will also participate in the upcoming meeting. Radrodro mentioned that he has asked the permanent secretary to prepare the agenda and confirmed that the three ministers would convene to discuss the USP situation upon his return to Suva next week.