USP SAGA: PROF. AHLUWALIA
REINSTATED AS VICE-CHANCELLOR
Professor Pal Ahluwalia has been reinstated as Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific.
Yesterday, the 35-member USP council in its resolution was not convinced that due process was followed in the suspension of Professor Ahluwalia.
He was suspended from duties on pay and without withdrawal of privileges on June 9 after a special sitting of the Executive Committee of the council.
As a result, Professor Derrick Armstrong was appointed to act in the position.
In a statement last night, the council meeting resolution agreed to: a) Set aside the suspension of the ViceChancellor and president by the Executive Committee; and b) That the process as prescribed in An Ordinance to Govern the Discipline of the Vice-Chancellor be followed in investigating any allegations against the ViceChancellor and president.
After the 9am to 5pm meeting (in person and via Zoom) yesterday, Minister for Education Rosy Akbar said Fiji would stand by the council decision.
There were five Fijian Government representatives present.
Pro-Chancellor and chair of the Council Winston Thompson had to recuse himself halfway through the meeting.
Ms Akbar said this was to avoid any conflict of interest.
The Nauru Minister took over as chair. She emphasised that Fiji does not interfere in the governance issues at USP.
“We never have and we will never do that. We are part of a council that governs a regional university,” Ms Akbar said.