Over 200 staff members from the University of the South Pacific staged a protest outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office, demanding the immediate suspension of Professor Pal Ahluwalia. This protest came in the wake of a decision by the USP Council to launch an investigation into the professor’s conduct.
Both the Association of USP Staff and the USP Staff Union have called for Professor Ahluwalia’s removal, citing unresolved grievances related to his leadership, which include significant governance problems and the recent dismissal of AUSPS President Dr. Tamara Osbourne-Naikatini, who participated in the strike.
Reuben Colata, President of the Staff Union, announced that an email had been distributed to all USP staff detailing the university’s intention to take the Permanent Secretary for Employment, Jone Maretino Nemani, to court. Colata claimed that this action is a response to the Ministry of Employment permitting the two unions to proceed with their strike for the Vice-Chancellor’s removal.
Colata indicated that the strike would continue, having received a mandate to maintain actions until February 16, marking six months from their initial vote on August 16, during which 95 percent of staff in Fiji supported the strike.
The University of the South Pacific plans to issue a statement later today. Professor Pal Ahluwalia is currently in Vanuatu. A USP Council meeting is scheduled for November 24-25 in the Cook Islands.