“USP is not simply a school, alma mater, or workplace. It is our intellectual home, a place where many of us grew up and to which we have a profound connection … where we navigated the academic challenges, tested our ideas, learned from our errors, and built friendships with individuals from various parts of Oceania. Even years after graduating, returning to USP feels like coming home. This is why many of us are saddened and angered by how a handful of individuals have selfishly and rudely tarnished this institution that means so much to us,” said Professor Tarcisius Kabutaulaka, Director of the Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Hawai’i.
Part I: The Challenges and Triumphs of USP
In the last 15 years, the leadership of the University of the South Pacific (USP) has faced significant scrutiny in Fiji and the Pacific, causing disheartening feelings among those who dedicated their careers to this prestigious and unique regional university, owned by 12 Pacific nations.
It is crucial not to let negative media overshadow the substantial positive impact USP has had on the region, which far exceeds any “world rankings” published in rarely-read international journals.
This article aims to highlight many emerging issues that have affected USP’s vice-chancellors—issues that I, as USP’s director of planning and development, identified during my tenure—many of which were overlooked. These challenges likely also affect newer universities in Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands.
The Negative Publicity Surrounding USP
For over five decades, there were no doubts regarding USP’s significance and contributions to the region until a former vice-chancellor compromised academic freedom by conceding to the illegal Bainimarama regime, imposing censorship on staff and students. He dismissed senior academics vital to the university while promoting his select few, turning the once-collaborative university Senate into a personal dominion, tightly controlling all communications with the governing council.
The staff and student associations welcomed new vice-chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia as a breath of fresh air, amid the controversies surrounding the outgoing vice-chancellor. However, unseemly conflicts arose between the previous administration and the new vice-chancellor, leading to allegations and scandals on both sides, all eventually ignored.
Following the illegal expulsion of Professor Ahluwalia and his wife from Fiji by the Bainimarama government, he moved to Samoa. Although invited back at the end of 2022 by the newly formed Coalition Government led by Sitiveni Rabuka, Professor Ahluwalia unexpectedly chose not to return to the Laucala Campus, opting instead to spend substantial university funds on travel to the Laucala Campus and beyond, receiving generous per diems that surpassed UN rates. Notably, Samoa has minimal USP enrollment while the Laucala Campus hosts the majority of staff, students, and resources.
Recently, significant disagreements arose between the vice-chancellor and the USP Staff Association and the student union, resulting in the dismissal of a senior staff member allegedly for breaching a “confidentiality” rule that many reasonable individuals would deem inappropriate for a publicly and regionally owned educational institution. Many staff members feel that USP has reverted to the autocratic atmosphere fostered by the earlier vice-chancellor. For further details, readers can refer to my previous article, “USP in Crisis: another NBF,” published in The Fiji Times on June 16, 2020.
This article emphasizes that USP can be far better than it has been.
The USP Region Deserves Positive News
While negative headlines about recent USP management have dominated, the immense contributions made by numerous senior staff members, both regional and expatriate, who have dedicated more than 58 years to making this university a remarkable place to contribute to regional development, must not be forgotten.
In the early years of USP, the camaraderie was palpable; everyone knew one another, be it on the Laucala Campus or during our teaching and research trips to regional centers. Professor Vijay Naidu’s article, “A Commentary on the 50-Year History of the University of the South Pacific,” provides an excellent overview of USP’s significance in the region and internationally.
This article pays tribute to just a few individuals from my personal circle at USP who have since passed away, as well as to many senior staff members and couples who have contributed to the region’s development, including Professor Vijay Naidu, Dr. Claire Slatter, and Professors Konhai and Randy Thaman.
The Remarkable Students
I wish to honor the incredible students I had the pleasure of teaching over the years, particularly those from Fiji, such as Professor Satish Chand, Anil Kumar, Professor Biman Prasad, Dr. Ganesh Chand, and many others. Notable students from Tonga include Dr. Aisake Eke and Dr. Hala Hingano, while Cliff Bird represented the Solomon Islands. A standout student from Taiwan was James Lin. I apologize to those I have unintentionally omitted for the sake of brevity.
Additionally, many former students continue to impact the Pacific region, notably Professor Steven Ratuva and Professor Tarcisius Kabutaulaka.
The Beautiful Campuses
It would be remiss not to acknowledge that our work at USP afforded us travel across the Pacific member countries, with many locations holding unforgettable memories for me. I am sure fellow USP alumni share their own rich experiences.
I recall Niue, with its free-roaming chickens; Nauru, known for its phosphate; the remote Solomon Islands abundant in seafood; and Tonga, where enormous yams overshadow those found in Fiji.
In Vanuatu, I experienced the underwater beauty of snorkelling near Vila, admired the vast live volcanoes on Tanna, and witnessed the origins of bungee jumping on Pentecost Island.
Decades ago, long before the global conversation on climate change began, USP lecturers were traveling to the low-lying Kiribati atolls, marveling at their unique ecosystem and the incredible navigational skills of the iKiribati seafarers.
USP also established a center in the distant Marshall Islands, initiated by Professor Konhai Thaman and myself in the early 1990s.
The Esteemed Vice-Chancellors
Throughout my career, I have worked with all USP vice-chancellors except Tony Tarr and the current one, Professor Ahluwalia. Many were renowned in their respective fields, which we initially knew little about.
The first vice-chancellor, Dr. Colin Aikman, was a highly regarded international jurist, renowned for his advisory role in Samoa’s government. His tenure saw protests concerning his lack of support for Professor Theo MacDonald, who was banned from Fiji.
Trinidadian VC James Maraj championed regionalization at USP and later served as Permanent Secretary at the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He played a significant role in fostering distance education among member countries.
Professor Geoffrey Caston, with a strong background in education, defended academic freedom and provided a safe haven for staff threatened by the military during the 1987 coup.
The late Esekia Solofa and Savenaca Siwatibau are remembered as exemplary vice-chancellors, with Siwatibau being a beacon of good governance and refusing to participate in the 2000 coup.
My journey through USP has been enriched by outstanding teaching and support staff of various nationalities, each having contributed to our community.
Professor Epeli Hau’ofa’s legacy continues to inspire many. His seminal works encouraged Pacific Islanders to embrace their culture and imagine a united future against the challenges of neocolonialism. His impact as a uniting figure at USP and his later role as the Director of the Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture marked him as a creative force in the region.
Part II: The USP Stars in the Firmament will delve further into the defining contributions of faculty members and other pivotal individuals.
Professor Wadan Narsey is recognized as one of the region’s prominent economists and frequently comments on political and economic matters in Fiji. The views expressed in this article are personal and do not reflect the positions of The Fiji Times.