Allegations have emerged that the University of the South Pacific (USP) is charging students for in-person tuition despite classes being conducted online. Concerns have also been raised regarding the replacement of full-time staff with consultants from India.
Rosalia Fatiaki, the general secretary of the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff Association (AUSPS), highlighted these issues during the fifth day of the USP strike. Members of AUSPS and the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) are on strike demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia, citing poor leadership and other grievances.
Fatiaki emphasized the importance of parental involvement, urging them to advocate for quality education at USP. She noted that students in the psychology program, which is fully online, have requested face-to-face interactions.
Fatiaki also claimed that unions have documented cases where full-time staff have been supplanted by online instructors from India. She mentioned that the agriculture program at the Alafua Campus in Samoa is being taught by consultants based in India.
Biology PhD student and part-time tutor Bindiya Rashni shared her experience, stating that since July, the abrupt termination of their supervisor, Tamara Osborne Naikatini, has left students without adequate guidance for their research. Rashni recounted how her group of 12 PhD students wrote a letter to the USP Council requesting the quick reinstatement of their supervisor, who is regarded as one of the leading experts in the Pacific Islands.
Rashni mentioned that she was poised to complete her studies this semester but had to step in and teach two courses at the request of Dr. Tamara. She expressed frustration over the administrative challenges that delayed their progress, emphasizing the need for expertise to maintain the quality of doctoral research.
In response to inquiries, USP stated that the two unions can only address grievances as per the approved strike mandate. The university acknowledged other issues raised during the strike but noted that it cannot comment on matters related to staff terms and conditions that are not included in the official strike mandate.
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