Staff and students at the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Laucala Campus held a demonstration yesterday, calling for the resignation of Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia and the reinstatement of dismissed lecturer Tamara Osborne-Naikatini. The protest coincided with the 99th USP Council meeting taking place in Auckland, New Zealand, which has raised eyebrows as there is no USP campus located there.
Dr. Osborne-Naikatini described the significant unrest on campus, indicating that Professor Ahluwalia’s leadership has contributed to instability at the university. She pointed out that Professor Ahluwalia had previously indicated a willingness to resign, a fact confirmed last year by Education Minister Aseri Radrodro, igniting further demands for transparency about the ongoing negotiations surrounding his potential exit.
PhD candidate Bindiya Rashni shared her frustration regarding the ongoing situation, stating that many students, currently without permanent supervision, have been forced to rely on administrative personnel for support. Rashni also emphasized that Ahluwalia is not a citizen of Fiji or any of the 12 member countries of USP, thereby questioning his representation of the university’s community.
In light of these unfolding events, there has been a lack of response from the University of the South Pacific Students Association (USPSA), which reportedly did not foresee the protest. Additionally, inquiries directed to the university remained unanswered.
The situation at USP sheds light on the ongoing struggles within educational institutions regarding governance and accountability. As staff and students unite to voice their concerns, it underscores the importance of leadership that resonates with the values and needs of the academic community.
Hope appears on the horizon as the collective voices of the USP community may influence significant changes, fostering an environment where student and staff needs are prioritized and addressed effectively.
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