A new People’s Alliance party government will restart payment of all University of the South Pacific grants within 100 days of taking power, states the party’s manifesto that was launched in Lautoka last Saturday.
PAP leader Sitiveni Rabuka said they would also allow deported USP vice-chancellor Pal Ahluwalia to return to Fiji.
“We all recall with shock and deep embarrassment how the USP vice-chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, was bundled out of the country in a Gestapo-style night raid on his home on campus,” he said.
“Remember this was the head of the premier university for Fiji and the region, which provides higher education for many thousands of our young people.
“Nothing like this had ever happened in our part of the Pacific. It was damaging to Fiji and our island neighbours.
“I speak for many thousands of Fijians when I describe what happened to the vice-chancellor as unlawful, despicable and disgracefully un-Fijian. True Fijians do not treat guests in our country that way.
“On winning government, we pledge to you the people, that we will thoroughly review the FijiFirst immigration blacklist. We will welcome Professor Ahluwalia back to Fiji. We will also honour this government’s debt to the USP as soon as we can.”
