Whatever the rights or wrongs aimed at the administration of former USP Vice-Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra or those aimed at his successor Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the action of the Fiji Government in withholding its financial contribution to the university since 2020, now totalling F$78.4 million, cannot be condoned. Other regional goverrnment, Australia and NZ are paying to support the education of Fiji students and their government is paying nothing!
I believe all who cherish academic freedom, free speech and fair play will support the appeal to PM Voqere Bainimarama by the university's staff unions to "abide by and honour the decision of the Fijian Parliament that approved the USP Grants for 2020, 2021 and 2022 totalling $78.4 million and to pay its obligation and to bring this matter to closure..."
I would also ask the PM to revoke his deportation order and allow Professor Pal Ahluwalia to return from Samoa to Fiji and USP's largest campus.
If further investigations are really needed into Prof. Ahluwalia's alleged mismanagement so be it after he returns, but I would agree with the staff unions that the four enquiries already conducted should be sufficient.
Minister for Economy and Attorney-Genneral Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has maintained that the grant will not be released until USP has an independent inquiry. This it already has done. If the AG wants another enquiry, he should sponsor one.
In withholding Fiji's contribution, he is holding the university in contempt. I would have expected better from him, the PM and the Fiji First government. The withholding of money from USP is morally wrong.
Note: for a discussion on the beginning of this sorry saga, read this and my more detailed posting pn681 in February 2021. Simply type pn681 in Search in the right sidebar.
-- ACW
USP is a multi-modal teaching and learning institution providing innovative, cost-effective, relevant and internationally-recognised education and training. Jointly owned by the governments of 12 Pacific Island countries, USP has 14 campuses and 11 centres. In keeping with its charter, USP provides all levels of education and training to enhance regional capacity in a wide range of disciplines including agriculture, computing studies, economics, laws, environment, sciences, climate change, accounting, management, and teacher training. With the largest concentration of Pacific expertise, USP undertakes research in all aspects of the Pacific islands. It aims to significantly lift its research profile by pursuing strategic partnerships and linkages.
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