The President of Nauru and incoming Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific Lionel Aingimea says the institution has been hijacked and declared that he will immediately seek the support of Council colleagues to call a special Council meeting as a matter of urgency.
He has called the decision to stand down Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia a sad day in the history of this esteemed institution.
Aingimea says the very individuals responsible for carrying out good governance have failed this great university.
He says the disciplinary ordinance for dealing with the Vice-Chancellor has been violated adding there are processes and procedures which dictate how such matters should be dealt with but these have simply been ignored.
The Incoming USP Chancellor says due process requires that any investigation or action against the Vice-Chancellor must be sanctioned by Council when the allegations have been brought to its attention.
He says this did not happen and we are in this current crisis because of failed governance.
Aingimea who is a Council member and USP alumnus is due to take up his post on July 1st.
He says USP is a regional university owned by 12 member countries and must remain so.
Aingimea says the region must not allow USP to become another national university.
He stresses that all member countries must have a say in their future.
Aingimea says he twice wrote to the full Council pointing out the need for caution and a considered response to allegations levelled against Ahluwalia but said instead he has witnessed the vilification and lack of natural justice being accorded to Ahluwalia.
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