VC Ahluwalia still unaware of his suspension pending investigations

USP Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia says he has not been informed that he has to step aside so that investigations against him for alleged misconduct can be done.

Although Fijivillage has received information that Ahluwalia has been suspended pending an independent inquiry, he says he does not want to comment on any reports saying that he has to step aside.

He says he has done nothing wrong and he will fight any allegations lawfully.

Ahluwalia adds that there have been nine investigations against him already.

As the USP Vice-Chancellor came out to meet his supporters yesterday, he was met with cheers.

After thanking his supporters, they prayed together.

When approached for a comment, USP Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson says he is not in a position to reveal anything at this time.

Concerns continue to be raised about the operations at USP and students are also saying that all this drama is affecting their education.

Vice-Chancellor Ahluwalia had earlier raised serious concerns regarding governance issues when the previous Vice-Chancellor was in office.

Now the allegations of governance issues are against Ahluwalia.

The staff and students who gathered to support Ahluwalia yesterday maintain that he should be assessed based on his Key Performance Indicators, and there should be no interference.

Fiji provides the biggest funding towards the running of USP.

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the Fijian government is concerned about governance issues at the university and Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar attended yesterday’s meeting.

In another twist - a member of the Sub-Committee of the USP Council appointed in March to investigate allegations against Vice-Chancellor Ahluwalia has now resigned from the committee.

In his resignation addressed to Pro-Chancellor Thompson, Semi Tukana wrote that he was disappointed with the way the complaint against Ahluwalia was handled.

Fijian government is concerned about governance issues at USP – Sayed-Khaiyum - Monday 08/06/2020

Some staff and students claim that there are moves to remove the current Vice-Chancellor

By: Vijay Narayan, Iva Danford, Semi Turaga

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the Fijian government is concerned about governance issues at the University of the South Pacific after reports emerged that the university’s Executive Committee met today to decide on the future of Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia.

Sayed-Khaiyum confirms the Audit Committee has highlighted a number of anomalies and the Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar attended the Executive Committee meeting.

The USP Council Executive Committee is continuing deliberations over an investigation report by the USP Audit and Risk Committee.

As Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Council Winston Thompson walked to the meeting venue at around 10 o’clock this morning, staff and students standing outside screamed out “Go Home Winston”, “Your Time is Over” and “Retire”.

Some USP staff and members of the USP Students Association used their morning tea break to voice their dissatisfaction and show their support for Ahluwalia.

Some of them stood with banners which read “Stop Corruption at USP”, “Winston Must Resign”, “No Illegal Meeting” and “Winston this is not your University” among many others.

As some of the staff voiced their concerns, Vice-Chancellor Aluwhalia looked on from the balcony of his office.

Speaking on behalf of Aluwhalia, USP Communications Manager Vineeta Nand says the Vice-Chancellor was grateful for the support.

About 500 USP staff and the USP Students Association want USP VC to remain – Fong

It is up to the USP Council on what it decides – Pro-Chancellor Thompson

By: Vijay Narayan, Semi Turaga, Naveel Krishant

USP Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia.

About 500 staff of the University of the South Pacific and members of the USP Students Association want the USP Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia to remain in office and to be assessed based on his Key Performance Indicators.

Staff representative, Elizabeth Fong says USP has about 1,400 staff and more than 40% of the staff want Vice-Chancellor Ahluwalia to remain in office.

She says Ahluwalia had found out that there were governance issues when the previous Vice-Chancellor was in office.

Fong says there should be no interference.

The USP Students Association says they will not hesitate to join member countries to initiate USP council proceedings to remove Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson should he continue to allegedly defy council resolutions and allegedly act against the intents of the USP Council.

They want the commission appointed by the USP Council to complete their appointed task and allow Vice-Chancellor Ahluwalia to carry out his tasks and responsibilities without undue interruption from Thompson and his associates.

Spokesperson Aneet Kumar stresses that the biggest victims out of this power struggle in the university are the students.

USP Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson says it is up to the council whether he should be dismissed or not and he hopes people base their concerns on facts.