A whistleblower report alleging widespread governance failures at Fiji National University (FNU) has named senior figures and raised concerns about appointments, academic standards and possible breaches of electoral law, according to documents seen by this publication.
The report, forwarded to Education Minister Aseri Radrodro in October last year and obtained by The Fiji Times, centres on actions taken during the tenure of vice-chancellor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba (VC).
The whistleblower has raised questions about the promotion of a staff member to assistant professor while serving as acting head of school, alleging the appointment may not have met FNU’s minimum qualification requirements and was made without transparent, merit-based assessment.
“Are you aware that an acting head of school was promoted to assistant professor?” the report asked.
“Are you aware that under FNU’s minimum qualification requirements (MQR), an assistant professor must ordinarily hold a PhD (FQF Level 10) or, in exceptional cases, a Master’s (FQF Level 9) with significant ongoing research outputs, peer-reviewed publications, postgraduate supervision, and externally funded research activity.
“Has the individual met these standards? Can you confirm whether any peer-reviewed research has been published, postgraduate theses supervised, or research funding secured? Did political affiliation influence the promotion?”
“This is not about personalities – it is about institutional integrity.
“When promotions and appointments bypass policy, the credibility of a public university is at risk.”
The staff member in question declined to comment when approached by The Fiji Times to verify the claims, referring the journalist to the VC.
A copy of the report was emailed on Wednesday to the VC, Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo, and Mr Radrodo for their comment but The Fiji Times has not received a response from any of them.
The Prime Minister’s Office referred queries to the Ministry of National Planning Development and Statistics but permanent secretary Peni Sikivou has not acknowledged our email.
Meanwhile, the whistleblower further alleges a possible breach of electoral law claiming a staff member contested the 2022 General Election under SODELPA while remaining a full-time FNU employee, then resumed her role immediately after the election without a reappointment process.
“Are you aware that after the failed campaign, the individual resumed duties immediately?” claimed the whistleblower.
“The FEO Act requires employees of publicly funded institutions to resign prior to candidacy. Was this complied with.
“Did your ministry, the party, or the FEO authorise campaigning while employed? Is there a resignation letter or acceptance?”
The staff member in question referred all queries to the VC.
