A date is expected to be determined soon for discussions regarding the ongoing controversy at the University of the South Pacific (USP), where staff are calling for the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro announced that a meeting will be organized based on the availability of the University Council. “We have contacted the USP Council secretariat to request a special council meeting,” Mr. Radrodro stated.
He added, “We are currently discussing potential dates for the meeting and aim to finalize this shortly. This will enable council members to be informed about the date and potentially the location.”
The demand for Professor Ahluwalia’s dismissal was overwhelmingly supported, with over 90 percent of union members voting in favor during a secret ballot conducted on August 14. The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations supervised this ballot, which saw more than 550 individuals sign up as members. The unions have raised concerns regarding Professor Ahluwalia’s governance, particularly in relation to staff welfare.
In a related context, Professor Ahluwalia addressed leaders at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting in Tonga earlier this month, emphasizing the university’s crucial role in promoting social and economic transformation in the Blue Pacific through the development of a skilled society. He informed leaders about significant global changes affecting the Higher Education sector, including evolving student demographics and labor mobility challenges. “USP is addressing these challenges through the themes of consolidation, transformation, innovation, and sustainability,” Mr. Ahluwalia remarked during the forum.