THE Fiji Higher Education Commission will carry out an independent audit of the Education Review Committee’s report of Fiji’s three main tertiary institutions.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro confirmed this while presenting an update on the ERC on the University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University and the University of Fiji.
“Upon the completion of its initial report, the ERC submitted the document to the commission,” he said.
“In the interest of due diligence and to ensure the integrity of the findings, the commission had initially resolved to engage an independent consultant to audit the report.”
He said FNU and USP had rejected the findings of the report and called for more evidence from the Review Committee before any further action would be taken.
“In its formal response, FNU strongly challenged the findings of the ERC report.
“FNU claimed that the report lacked objectivity and was based on innuendo and hearsay, with sweeping conclusions presented without adequate supporting evidence.
“The University of the South Pacific expressed strong disagreement with the ERC’s conclusions. USP described the report as methodologically weak, substantively inconsistent, and professionally inadequate.
“The university contended that the report’s conclusions contrast sharply with evaluations from globally respected accrediting agencies and ignore the university’s current reforms and strategic intent.”
He said as a result the Higher Education Commission was currently holding detailed consultations with the two universities that have rejected the ERC report.
“The commission has also engaged an independent audit of the report, which is expected to be completed between September and November 2025.
“The final report, including all audit findings and university responses, will be tabled in December 2025.”