Financial crisis
As a USP staff for 20 years, Fiji citizen and taxpayer, I take the right to express my opinion of what has been happening at USP since a while. Staff and even more students are distracted in their concentration.
It appears that some in the governance structure of USP do not agree with the fact that USP’s present vice-chancellor and president (VCP) has done superb work since he took over leadership of the institution from the beginning 2019.
Today indeed USP appears to be in a financial crisis. This crisis has loomed on the horizon (at least) since 2018 when the triennial Financial Plan 2019-2021 predicted a growth in revenue that was, to say it mildly, extremely optimistic to achieve.
The VCP has to deal with the financial crisis, and so far he has done an excellent job in the office USP Council had selected him to.
The VCP had assured to the university community that nobody will be sent home as the result of a planned reorganisation that aims to bring (back) financial sustainability to USP.
He stressed that USP will renew contracts whenever this is required under existing regulations. Job losses will happen only when people drop out of employment because they have reached retirement age or because they wish to retire.
A paper presented to USP Senate highlights: “USP Management will only consider staff reduction or redundancies as a last resort”.
This mirrors exactly USP regulation on Staff Reduction. All this was before a bombshell exploded, when the Minister for Economy announced to hold back Fiji government funding to USP until allegations against the VCP have been investigated.
USP Council did follow regulations when looking at alleged ‘material misconduct’ of its VCP. It is within the council’s power to make decisions about such allegations, including deciding to dismiss the allegations.
Indeed USP Council dismissed the allegations, as most council members could not find ‘material misconduct’.
The VCP was not involved in council’s deliberations and subsequent decision. I am unsure, what to tell to my students at USP.
Heaps of them have approached me, as they feel extremely frustrated. They have experienced a refreshing wind enhancing quality of learning since 2019 when the present VCP took over.
Most of my colleagues are irritated as well to see an institution murdered; an institution older than the state of Fiji.
An experience that has survived four coups in Fiji, civil unrest in a couple of member countries, and financial crises.
It certainly would not be only a loss to Fiji and the Pacific Island region, if USP disappeared. It indeed would be a loss to the entire world of tertiary learning, teaching and research.
EBERHARD WEBER Associate Professor, USP, Laucala Campus, Suva
The state’s stance on USP
IN his critical analysis of the Fiji government’s unilateral decision to stop USP funding (‘In whose interest: what is the real issue the State is hiding” FT 26/9) former Reserve Bank governor Savenaca Narube says “all rightthinking people should rally behind the vice-chancellor”.
As a former USP student, who has keenly followed the crisis at my old university, I did that. I thought the new vice- chancellor Prof Ahluwalia did the right thing, in the interest of good governance at the premier regional university, to reveal the poor governance by the previous administration.
Like Mr Narube, I too can’t understand why the Fijian State is so hell bent on going after Prof Ahluwalia, the messenger in this case.
What’s its agenda? Who’s agenda is it? Like Mr Narube, I too smell a rat in the way the Fijian State has dealt with the USP saga.
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, AUstralia
Skipper Cup competition
Nadi was thumped by Suva in their Skipper Cup competition at Lawaqa Park on Friday. The boys from the Capital City proved too strong for the Jetsetters and convincingly won the match 22-3.
This result speaks volumes of the dominance Suva had in this encounter. As hosts, Suva made sure that they left Lawaqa Park with the maximum points in their bag.
This they surely did on Friday. With this result Nadi’s chances of making it to the semi-fi nals this year seems to be over.
How about Namosi who tasted defeat at the hands of Naitasiri. In other Skipper Cup matches played on Saturday, the Stallions beat Tailevu while Lautoka defeated Yasawa. Suva, Namosi, Naitasiri and Nadroga appear to be heading towards playing in the semi-finals this year.
I think every week rugby fans pour in numbers to support their teams.
This is very good as far as gate takings are concerned.
SURESH CHAND Nadi
Stallions rise
The Stallions managed to hold off a gutsy Tailevu outfi t 23-18 to rise to third place on the Skipper Cup points table.
This week the Stallions have a golden opportunity to put pressure on leaders Suva when they face Naitasiri at Ratu Cakobau Park.
The Stallions, as Tiko Matawalu puts it, “never step back”.
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Marist rugby sevens
The dust settled on the 44th Fiji Bitter Marist Rugby 7s with Tabadamu winning the prestigious event and the prizemoney of $15,000.
I was one of the lucky ones to witness the finals yesterday with my wife. Congratulations to Lawrence Tikaram and his team for such a well organised event.
Also to Joe Rodan and Mike Spencer and their team from Paradise Beverages. The 42 event directors and their teams managed the games so very well. Everything worked like clockwork. No wonder it is now known as “The World’s Biggest Sevens Carnival”.
Having been to and witnessed the Hong Kong 7s, I believe the Marist 7s surpasses that event, hands down. Thank you to all involved and wish you all the best in the future events.
Congratulation to all the other winners. One suggestion though, to the Souvenir Program Committee, please include a page for the past winners in your publication next year.
And as a “very” old boy of the Red Fire squad I am proud to be an old boy of MBHS, be it of the Cladius House.
VIJAY MADHAVAN Borron Rd, Suva
