The Association of the USP Staff and the USP Staff Union say everyone should ask the question why is the Fijian Government so hell-bent on damaging the premier regional institution that has benefitted Fiji more than any other country, by overruling a decision of Parliament; threatening the education of Fiji voters and students and Pacific students; threatening the employment of staff of whom 80 percent are Fijians and jeopardising the Pacific vuvale relationships.
They have released the statement after Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made it clear that Fiji does not accept Professor Pal Ahluwalia as the Vice Chancellor of USP, and will not release any grants to USP until proper processes are followed to appoint a new VC and an independent investigation is carried out against Ahluwalia.
In a statement, the President of the Association, Elizabeth Fong and President of the Union, Tarisi Vacala say whilst the university has challenges due to the COVID pandemic, the financial challenges resulting from Fiji reneging on its obligations since 2019, adds to an already difficult situation.
They say USP will survive this assault on its integrity with the collective efforts of all its staff and students across the 14 campuses and centres under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia from the Samoa Campus.
Fong and Vacala say the USP staff are deeply perturbed at the extent to which the Fijian Government will go to disrupt and undermine the university in its personalised vendetta against Professor Ahluwalia.
They say the University Council currently comprises 32 members from Cook Islands (1), Fiji (5), Kiribati (1), Marshall Islands (1), Nauru (1), Niue (1) Samoa (2), Solomon Islands (1) Tonga (1), Tokelau (1), Tuvalu (1) Vanuatu (1) Australia (1), New Zealand with (1) Staff Representatives (2), Student Representatives (2), Senate Representatives (2), Pro-Chancellor (1), Vice-Chancellor (1), Co-opted (4) & Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (1) and is the legal appointing body of the Vice-Chancellor and President as well as his employer. Fong and Vacala say what is significant in this process is that a substantial majority voted in accordance with Council recommendations to give Professor Ahluwalia a new contract. They say abstentions and opposition were insignificant in this democratic process, and the minority included the Fiji members.
They say the majority ruled and the dignified response is to accept the decision with respect and humility, a Pacific trait sorely lacking in the Fiji representation.
Fong and Vacala say it should be noted that since the USP Council as the employer did not terminate Ahluwalia’s employment, therefore any reference by the Attorney General to the process of appointment are null and void.
They further say the Attorney General is insulting the supreme governance body of the university that includes Heads of sovereign Pacific States, Ministers, students, staff, donors and members of the community.
They reiterate that the AG does not understand that since the Council did not terminate the Vice Chancellor Ahluwalia’s contract, a new advertisement for recruitment was not required.
The Association and the Union say it should also be noted that all allegations against Ahluwalia have been cleared by the USP Council.
They say Fiji has the highest number of USP enrolments and beneficiaries, it must pay its dues’ accordingly, noting that for every dollar it gives, the Fiji economy receives $9 in return.
