The strike at the University of the South Pacific against Professor Pal Ahluwalia has entered its third day, with students, faculty, and staff joining in the protest.
Krishnil Ram, the acting president of the Association for the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS), stated that the primary objective of the strike is the removal of the Vice Chancellor. Other issues, including the reinstatement of Professor Tamara Osborne-Naikatini and improvements in staff treatment, follow closely behind this goal.
“For many of us, the University is our home. We have studied, we work here, and we hold it dear, which is why we are risking our jobs to demand a fair and transparent investigation regarding the Vice Chancellor,” Ram said.
Additionally, the AUSPS Union, which advocates for gender equality, is also seeking to address the reinstatement of Dr. Osborne-Naikatini. Prior to her dismissal, she was among the few female professors at the university.
“Dr. Tamara was dismissed by the Vice Chancellor for speaking to the media about an issue they deemed confidential. She was a prominent female researcher poised to mentor many others. How can we hope to bridge the gender gap if we continue to remove women who dare to speak out?” Ram lamented.
Ram urged council members to respond to the concerns raised by staff and students during the strike.
“Staff are beginning to lose faith in Senior Management. Our reliance is solely on the Council members, so we call on them to address the delays in Council meetings and other urgent issues that require attention,” he added.
Sources indicate that the protest will persist until a final decision is reached regarding the Vice Chancellor’s position.