The future of Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific (USP), is uncertain following a strong vote in favor of strike action by the Association of USP Staff and the USP Staff Union, with nearly 95 percent supporting a move to remove him.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has announced plans to convene a special meeting of the USP Council to address these ongoing issues. Currently in Lau for a school visitation initiative, Radrodro has asked his Permanent Secretary to set the agenda for the meeting.
“I’m seeking to call a special meeting of the USP Council, which we are actively working on to tackle the challenges arising from the university, including the potential strike by staff,” stated the minister.
Upon his return to Suva, Radrodro plans to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Biman Prasad and the Minister for Employment to discuss their submission to the council regarding the concerns raised by the staff unions.
Radrodro emphasized the importance of recognizing USP as a regional university, governed by the council, with Fiji being a significant member that will voice its concerns.