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The restructure, which will potentially save about $15million, is aimed at better positioning USP to respond to financial shortfalls and the ongoing impact of COVID-19

There will be no job losses as a result of the proposed restructure of the University of the South Pacific, assures Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.

However at the outset of his presentation to USP staff yesterday, it was highlighted that staff reduction would be considered by management as a last resort.

The restructure, which will potentially save about $15 million, is aimed at better positioning USP to respond to financial shortfalls and the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

Out of 116 positions under the current structure only 66 will be retained in the restructure while more than 40 staff will be transferred to non-academic positions. The opportunity to consult staff about the restructure, he said had come about because there was a delay in submitting the proposal to the USP Council. Professor Ahluwalia hopes to present the proposal to the Council for approval before the end of this year.

According to him the restructure has been endorsed by the University Grants Committee and staff will not lose their jobs unless they resign or retire.

Some of recommendations made by the Grants Committee include;

■ Investment of at least $14million in capital expenditure in 2021. If further surplus is realised, then the backlog in maintenance must be prioritised.

■ Member countries and development partners should make their contributions in 2020-2022 earlier rather than later in the calendar year.

■ An external staff survey to gain a robust empirical insight into USP’s human resource.

“This reorganisation has been necessitated by some factors principally around the timing of grants, but also cuts to our operating grant and the COVID-19,” Professor Ahluwalia said adding that while USP can survive for a while, they need to think about sustainability.

On the issue of the withholding of grant by the Fijian Government, he said, they are approaching the matter with caution and are monitoring it daily. “Australia just last week we met with them they had stopped their payment but have committed to releasing that payment,” he said.”

“They will be releasing $7 million Australian dollars (about FJ$10.59m) I think the invoice should have gone out this week so we’ll get that.”

Adding that New Zealand has committed to giving USP their funds with an uplift of NZD$1.5m (about $FJ2.1m).

However, Fiji Sun has established that a certain number of details that Australia is supposed to provide to USP regarding the grant is yet to be finalised. In addition, starting next year Professor Ahluwalia will also take up the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and International) which was held by Professor Derrick Armstrong.