Opposition MP Jone Usamate has questioned whether proposed changes affecting the Fiji National University (FNU) are being used to divert attention from internal disputes within the institution.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday during debate on the Fiji National University (Amendment) Bill 2026, Usamate raised concerns about what he described as ongoing tensions between the university’s council and its vice-chancellor.
“One of the things that comes to our mind is whether this is a ploy to move attention away from the internal rumblings within the FNU itself – the conflict between the Council and the Vice-Chancellor,” Usamate said.
He said there had been discussions about aligning the university more closely with national priorities, but argued that such mechanisms already exist in most national universities around the world.
“If you are talking about aligning what happens with FNU with the national priorities, the mechanisms are already there, and it happens in all the national universities globally,” he said.
Usamate noted that in countries such as Singapore, national universities are already overseen by the Ministry of Education.
The opposition MP also pointed to reports of internal issues within the university’s leadership.
He told Parliament that a whistleblower report submitted in January 2025 had raised allegations including bias and discrimination in management decisions, bullying, victimisation of staff and abuse of authority within the university’s leadership.
“These are the facts, Mr Speaker, Sir – not something imputed,” Usamate said.
He further claimed that the university council had lodged a complaint with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) regarding the matter.
Usamate questioned whether investigations related to the issue would continue if the legislative changes were implemented.
“If this change takes place, will that investigation with FICAC continue? Will it continue or not?” he asked.
The Fiji National University (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed, shifting the responsibility of the institution to the Ministry of Strategic Planning that falls under the Prime Minister.
