Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific (USP), is currently facing significant backlash from staff unions who are calling for his removal as they continue their strike. This strike reached its fourth day, with the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff Association (AUSPS) voicing concerns about a lack of formal communication from the university management.
During this period of unrest, Professor Ahluwalia has been criticized for his absence, with staff and political analysts questioning his commitment. A recent USP release indicated that he is engaged in official business across the region, having officiated the opening of the new Samoa campus and attended a graduation ceremony in Tonga. Additionally, he participated in a meeting of the Pacific Islands Universities Research Network (PIURN) in Vanuatu.
Currently, Professor Ahluwalia is leading a USP delegation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, where he is involved in various activities including the opening ceremony and discussions related to ACU Scholarships announced by King Charles III.
Despite the university’s clarification about his engagements, staff unions remain unconvinced. Professor Ahluwalia missed the RISE symposium organized by the Fiji Government at Fiji National University due to his commitment to CHOGM. AUSPS general secretary Rosalia Fatiaki expressed concern, stating, “While the houses are burning at Laucala Campus, the Vice-Chancellor is on a plane to Vanuatu last week,” adding that USP is not represented in any side events in Samoa.
Fatiaki emphasized that the unions are not politicizing the situation, instead calling attention to the fact that USP has lost its regional identity due to the leadership being non-Pacifica.