Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address the ongoing issues at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, currently on a ministerial tour in the Lau Group, confirmed his intention to convene this meeting.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) recently secured a mandate for a strike aimed at removing the university’s Vice-Chancellor and president, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot revealed that over 90 percent of union members are in favor of Professor Ahluwalia’s dismissal, a process overseen by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations. More than 550 individuals have registered as union members.
The unions have criticized Professor Ahluwalia for failing to uphold good governance concerning staff welfare.
The meeting will include Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad, alongside Mr. Radrodro. “I have requested the permanent secretary to organize the agenda for the meeting,” said Mr. Radrodro. “Upon my return to Suva next week, we’ll gather with the three Ministers to discuss the situation at USP.”