Despite an approval granted to two Fiji-based staff unions to conduct a secret ballot for the removal of the Vice Chancellor and President (VCP), Professor Pal Ahluwalia at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Fiji campuses yesterday, Prof Pal along with the USP Management remain focused on ensuring that the welfare of the students and the needs of member countries continue to be their highest priority.
In a statement the President of USP Student Association, Christopher Siliva, in support of the VCP and his unwavering efforts to enhance the quality of education and research at USP said, “As major stakeholders of the university, the USP Students Association has been in regular communication with the management, including the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, regarding this matter.”
“Our primary focus remains on the students, and we will continue to coordinate with the management on potential mitigation strategies in the event of any strike action by the two staff unions to avoid any disruptions to our students,” Mr Siliva said.
The statement reads, USP was informed of the secret ballot yesterday, stating it is important to recognise that USP’s Vice-Chancellor and President (VCP) is appointed by the USP Council, which comprises representatives from all its 12 member countries.
“At its 96th meeting session held in November last year, the USP Council reaffirmed its support for the VCP and renewed his contract for an additional two years.
“The VCP has recently commenced his new term and has returned to Laucala, Fiji, to resume his duties from the VCP’s residence.
“The University respects that this action on the part of the two unions concerned is being undertaken under the provisions laid out in Fiji’s Employment Relations Act (ERA).
“However, USP also notes that with over 1,300 staff across our 12 regional countries, membership of the two unions accounts for only 41% of its total workforce.
“Moreover, it is understood from unofficial numbers that those who voted in support of the proposition make up 25 percent of Academic and Professional Staff and 28 percent of Administrative and Support Staff.
“Notwithstanding these numbers, the USP management remains committed to constructive and good-faith dialogue in addressing legitimate staff issues within the processes and procedures set by its Council and by the employment laws of our respective member countries. In this instance, the University is confident that it will successfully challenge the claims and actions by the two unions concerned, which have been misleading in parts and untrue in others, in accordance with the ERA and associated legal processes.”
