The Association of University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) is set to challenge the university’s decision to terminate Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini from her role as a Biology lecturer and as the president of the AUSPS.
Dr. Osborne-Naikatini’s contract was terminated effective July 12 by Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
Staff association members have expressed strong disapproval of the termination, describing it as a vicious attack on staff unions and freedom of speech at the university.
The university cited reasons of gross misconduct in the termination letter.
The allegation of gross misconduct relates to information Dr. Osborne-Naikatini reportedly shared as AUSPS president in an Islands Business interview published in the March 2024 edition. The interview allegedly exposed flaws in the review process of Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, which led to a two-year contract renewal.
The two university unions argue that Dr. Osborne-Naikatini was standing up for good governance and the rights of USP staff, leading to her termination.
Dr. Osborne-Naikatini served as the staff representative on the Senate Review Committee.
The May 2024 edition of Islands Business detailed the charges against Dr. Osborne-Naikatini.
“The current USP Discipline Regulations place the Vice-Chancellor and President as both judge and jury, presenting a clear conflict of interest,” the unions asserted.
They stated, “Senior staff can only be terminated by the VCP, with HR implementing the decision. Staff have no recourse for appeal as VCP Pal has not filled the `Visitor’ position.”
Both AUSPS and USPSU plan to pursue relevant processes to address Dr. Osborne-Naikatini’s termination, which they deem bullying and vindictive.
“This is not only an attack on the unions at USP but also on the freedom of unions in Fiji. In solidarity, we urge sister unions, NGOs, and relevant organizations to condemn this action in the strongest terms,” they declared.
A joint letter from the unions to the VCP on July 11 requested a reconsideration of the decision, reminding him of the 2019 incident when the unions supported him as a whistleblower.
Attempts to reach Professor Ahluwalia for comments were unsuccessful. Dr. Osborne-Naikatini has not made any comments.
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