The Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is doing damage to the premier regional university by withholding the Fiji Government’s obligatory contribution, said the two unions representing the University of the South Pacific.
In a statement, Association of the USP staff president Elizabeth Fong and USP staff union president Tarisi Vacala say the USP Council has held several special meetings to address current USP issues as well as matters of concern of the Fiji Government members.
“The council deliberations led to clear majority decisions that exonerated Professor Pal Ahluwalia yet again of any mismanagement, administrative or for financial, and his reappointment as vice-chancellor and president of the USP and his relocation to Samoa,” the statement said.
The unions said despite the deportation from Fiji of Prof Ahluwalia and his wife, just two years into his first contract, the Government continues to “hurt Fiji and regional students” by withholding its grant by obligation.
“Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s statements in the Fiji Parliament and media about the withholding of Fiji Government grant have not been accompanied by any formal paper to the University Council justifying his calls for an independent inquiry, the objectives of the inquiry, the composition of the commission of inquiry, or its terms of reference nor the financial costs that may be incurred.
“It is apparent, that unable to remove Professor Pal Ahluwalia for his exposure of financial mismanagement and other breaches, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is doing damage to the premier regional university and hurting USP students by withholding the Fiji Government’s obligatory contribution.”
• Questions sent to the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
