The Chairman of the Fiji National University Council, Semesa Karavaki says the reassignment of FNU to the Prime Minister is like a takeover.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Karavaki says today is a sad day for Fiji's education when the independence of the FNU Council under the FNU Act has been compromised by the so called transition from the Ministry of Education to the Prime Minister 's Office.
Karavaki says the FNU Council meeting that is scheduled for this Thursday has been cancelled by the Prime Minister's Office and the Council's Secretariat staff have been directed by the Vice Chancellor, Unaisi Nabobo-Baba not to communicate or facilitate any communication from the FNU Council.
The FNU Council is appointed by the Minister for Education.
Karavaki says the process of bringing FNU under the PM's Office is a model used by Singapore which worked very well for them.
The FNU Chairman says unfortunately, the way it is implemented by Fiji, is to protect the Vice Chancellor who he alleges has issues at the University.
Karavaki says at the moment and until the FNU Act is amended, the Minister of Education is still the Minister responsible for FNU.
Karavaki says the whole impasse started when he issued a directive on behalf of the FNU Council where the Council is to approve the filling of positions from HOD level and above.
He says this is to address the complaints directed at the Vice Chancellor regarding alleged favouritism and other matters.
Karavaki reveals they as the FNU Council
are also taking steps to address the bestowment of professorship contrary to the FNU Act.
The FNU Council Chair says they are trying to have an audience with the PM's Office and he hopes good sense prevails and a meeting is called by the PM's Office.
Earlier today, fijivillage News reported that the Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics after a verbal instruction by the Prime Minister last Tuesday.
Under the FNU Act, the Minister responsible for FNU is the Minister responsible for tertiary education.
In this case, it is the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro.
This shocking move raises the question why the reassignment has been done despite what the FNU Act says.
There were some complaints against the FNU Vice Chancellor, Unaisi Nabobo-Baba and some staff last year.
The FNU Council chaired by Semesa Karavaki was looking into this, and had taken over the recruitment process of executive appointments from the Vice Chancellor for the time being.
fijivillage News has been informed that Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro was told by Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development anc Statistics, Peni Sikivou that by the power vested upon the Prime Minister under the Constitution, his verbal instruction, now policy directives issued on the 13th of January is effective.
He says the reassignment is in consideration of the submission made by the Fiji National University to the Prime Minister in which it will benefit the university and the nation in terms of national development and national capacity building through its alignment to 23 ministries.
The finalisation of this ministerial direction is in process in readiness for the next Cabinet meeting.
Acting Prime Minister, Filimoni Vosarogo was supposed to meet with the FNU management today however this did not happen.
The Government will be calling various meetings with the Vice Chancellor and Senior Leadership Team in the transitional period.
Sikivou has said during this transition period, they will have the VC and senior team work with the PM's office via the Permanent Secretary of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics.
Sikivou has also said in a letter to advise FNU Council that they are to put on hold everything until further notice from the Prime Minister.
There is no scheduled meeting with the FNU Council and Vosarogo.
We are currently trying to speak to Prime Minister Rabuka, Acting Prime Minister Vosarogo, Minister for Education Radrodro, and the FNU Vice Chancellor.
Vosarogo and Nabobo-Baba say they will respond later.
Stay with us for developments.
