FNU Council wants to meet the PM, and says Council's initiated audit must be allowed to proceed

The Fiji National University Council, under the leadership of Chancellor and Chair, Semesa Karavaki says the bypassing of the lawful governance structure of FNU has created unnecessary uncertainty and has, unfortunately, fuelled speculation and division within the university community.

Karavaki says the Council's ongoing work, including the critical initial stages of a review of the FNU Act and a planned external HR audit, has been abruptly disrupted.

He says central to the Council's concerns are serious governance issues that predate this reassignment.

Karavaki says on 13th January 2026, the Council resolved to address formal complaints against the Vice-Chancellor regarding governance and decision-making processes.

He says these complaints, from whistleblowers and academic staff, focused on contentious appointments and the awarding of academic titles within the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, as well as unilateral engagements with government on legislative review.

In line with its fiduciary duty, the Council says it had initiated due process to investigate these allegations thoroughly and impartially, including placing the Vice-Chancellor on leave pending investigation and mandating Council oversight for senior appointments.

The Council says it is therefore troubled that the submission to Government, which triggered the reassignment, was made unilaterally by the Vice-Chancellor without a Council resolution or even its knowledge.

The Council acknowledges the Government's decision, to reassign ministerial responsibility for FNU from the Minister for Education to the Prime Minister.

Karavaki says they are prepared to engage constructively with the Office of the Prime Minister to support national development objectives.

However, Karavaki says the FNU Council expresses profound concern regarding the manner in which this significant transition has been initiated.

He says as the statutory governing body of FNU, established by the FNU Act to act in the University's best interest, the Council was not consulted prior to this decision.

Karavaki says they were informed post facto and instructed to "put everything on hold."

Karavaki says the FNU Council has formally requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister.

They seek to understand the strategic vision for the reassignment and to outline how the Council, as the accountable governance body, can effectively contribute to a stable and prosperous future for FNU.

The FNU Council says it remains the legally constituted authority governing the University, and  reaffirms their commitment to discharge their responsibilities under the FNU Act with transparency, fairness, and in the best interests of the students, staff, and the nation.

They also say the serious allegations of governance failures within the University management must be resolved through a proper, independent, and lawful process.

Karavaki says the Council's initiated audit must be allowed to proceed without interference to restore trust.

They call on all parties to act with maturity and respect.

When fijivillage News sought comments from Acting Prime Minister, Filimoni Vosarogo, he said that he is willing to meet with the FNU Council.