10 January, 2026, 4:32 pm Central - 27°C Rain

Sparks fly at National Budget Consultation as Pacific Polytech Chair and USP Vice-Chancellor butt heads

Sparks fly at National Budget Consultation as Pacific Polytech Chair and USP Vice-Chancellor butt heads

By Alipate Narawa
12/04/2025

Sparks flew at the National Budget Consultation at USP last night as Pacific Polytech Chairperson Dr Ganesh Chand and USP Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia butted heads.

This is after Dr Ganesh stated that skilled development is more expensive than other forms of higher education.

viber-image-2025-04-12-17-19-49-756

Vice Chancellor Ahluwalia disputed this, saying that Polytech does not run the same things as the Fiji National University as their courses do not run through the year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad then suggested a date to be set for the heads of institutions to make a presentation for the budget with the Higher Education Commission present as well.

The Budget Consultation continues next Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm at Korovuto College Hall, Nadi.

FEATURE NEWS
NFP calls for withdrawal of proposed electricity tariff increase
The National Federation Party is urging both Energy Fiji Limited and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission to withdraw the electricity tariff...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
X faces possible UK ban after AI tool Grok creates fake sexual images of females
The UK government has warned that Elon Musk’s social media platform X could be blocked if it doesn't follow online safety rules.This comes after ...
1 hour ago

FNPF to hold Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa
The Fiji National Provident Fund will be holding its Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa, and they are urging members to attend, ...
2 hours ago

WAF carrying out preparatory works to fix sewage spill in Laucala Beach
The ongoing sewage spill from the manhole at the back entrance of a supermarket at Laucala Beach has been caused by a severe collapse of the ...
4 hours ago

Mixed reactions from teens after Australia’s social media ban
One month after Australia banned social media for children under 16 years of age, some teens say they feel better, while others are finding ways ...
4 hours ago

CWM staff urged to carpool amid vehicle break-ins
The Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa is urging CWM Hospital staff to practice carpooling due to limited parking space at the ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
8 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
19 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
19 days ago

TOP