The Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, has reached out to the Pro Chancellor and the University of the South Pacific (USP) council secretariat for clarity regarding the recent developments at the university. During a special council meeting in September, a decision was made to appoint an independent investigator to look into the allegations against Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
Recently, some members of the USP staff union expressed their dissatisfaction by going on strike, demanding the suspension of the vice chancellor to facilitate an unimpeded investigation. Although the council has agreed to this independent inquiry, the specifics of the terms of reference remain unfinalized. The council had initially planned to present the investigator’s report in the upcoming Council Meeting next month.
The unions have voiced concerns that there is a deliberate delay in the process, as the Council Secretariat is directly overseen by the Vice Chancellor. Minister Radrodro stated, “We are pursuing the council, Pro Chancellor, and the secretariat regarding the timeline of the agreed upon processes,” emphasizing the necessity to ensure that all agreed steps are executed to address staff union concerns.
He further noted that repeated inquiries have been made by both local and overseas council members for an update on the council’s stance concerning the pressing issues at USP. While welcoming the end of the strike, Mr. Radrodro reiterated the ministry’s commitment to fostering a collaborative resolution between university management and staff, with the ultimate goal of ensuring continuity in university operations, especially with exams approaching.
This situation presents an opportunity for the university community to come together and strengthen its governance structure, paving the way towards a more inclusive and transparent inquiry process. The hopeful outlook is that, through collaborative efforts, both management and staff can significantly enhance the university experience for its students while also addressing any underlying issues.
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