A whistleblower report detailing significant governance issues at Fiji National University (FNU) has raised serious allegations against senior officials and highlighted concerns regarding appointments, academic integrity, and potential breaches of electoral regulations. The report, sent to Education Minister Aseri Radrodro last October and examined by The Fiji Times, focuses on the actions taken during the leadership of vice-chancellor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba.
Among the allegations is the promotion of a staff member to the position of assistant professor while they were serving as the acting head of the school. The whistleblower contends that this promotion potentially did not adhere to FNU’s minimum qualification requirements, as the university typically mandates that an assistant professor holds a PhD or a Master’s degree with significant research outputs and thorough academic contributions. The report poses critical questions regarding whether the individual has met these criteria, including the status of peer-reviewed publications and research funding, and whether the promotion was influenced by political considerations.
“This is not about personalities – it is about institutional integrity,” the document states, urging that when promotions circumvent established policy, it jeopardizes the credibility of the institution. Attempts by The Fiji Times to reach the staff member for comment resulted in a referral to the vice-chancellor.
Further complicating matters, the whistleblower alleges a probable breach of electoral law, noting that a staff member contested in the 2022 General Election under the SODELPA party while still employed full-time at FNU. The individual reportedly resumed their university role without undergoing a reappointment process immediately after the election. The report inquires whether the requisite resignation was filed prior to the candidacy, as specified by the FEO Act, which stipulates that employees of publicly funded institutions must resign before running for office.
All queries directed to the staff member were referred back to the vice-chancellor, while attempts to obtain comments from key figures, including Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo and the Education Minister, have gone unanswered. The Prime Minister’s office deferred inquiries to the Ministry of National Planning Development and Statistics, yet no acknowledgment has been received from the permanent secretary.
These allegations pose significant questions about governance at FNU, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to established standards to maintain the integrity of public educational institutions. Such challenges, while concerning, also present an opportunity for reform and improvement within the university’s governance framework. The hope remains that these issues will be investigated thoroughly, leading to enhanced transparency and adherence to academic standards.
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