Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific (USP), is facing intense scrutiny as staff unions at the Laucala Campus demand his removal while entering the fourth day of a strike. Rosalia Fatiaki, the general secretary of the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff Association (AUSPS), stated that they are still awaiting a formal response from senior management.
During this time, Professor Ahluwalia has faced backlash from staff and political commentators for his absence from the campus. A spokesperson for USP indicated that he is currently occupied with official university matters throughout the region. Recently, he officiated the opening of a new campus in the Solomon Islands and attended a graduation ceremony in Tonga. Additionally, he is participating in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, where he is involved in ceremonies and discussions, including the announcement of ACU Scholarships by King Charles III.
Despite the university’s explanation regarding his whereabouts, the unions remain unconvinced. Professor Ahluwalia was also expected to be present at a Fiji Government symposium at the Fiji National University but declined to attend, citing his engagement at CHOGM. Fatiaki expressed concern over his absence, remarking, “While the houses are burning at Laucala Campus, the Vice-Chancellor is on a plane to Vanuatu last week.” She added that USP is not prominently represented at the events in Samoa and emphasized the unions’ position, stating they are not politicizing the matter but advocating for leadership reflective of Pacific islanders.