USP

In a statement issued yesterday (Wednesday) Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur said Vanuatu calls on students and staff to respect ongoing processes to restore confidence and stability in the region’s premier tertiary institution.

Loughman clarified that a statement issued last Friday was made with the best intentions and in light of issues affecting senior management of the important regional institution and their concern that there may be spillovers, which stand to delay the commencement of and disrupt the 2021 academic year.

Paunga, who currently holds the position of Deputy VC Regional Campuses, Estates and Infrastructure, was appointed today following the deportation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.

Professor Aluwhalia and his wife were arrested at their Suva home on Wednesday night, told they were deemed a threat to the Fiji public, and swiftly deported to Australia.

The USP Council has this afternoon released a statement saying they were not consulted over Professor Pal Ahluwalia's deportation.

 Immigration and police officers detained and later deported the head of the University of the South Pacific late on Wednesday on allegations that he had breached public safety.

 The Pacific Regional NGO (PRNGO) Alliance in a statement said the heavy handed decision by the Fiji Government to deport the University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia and his partner Sandra Price ahead of a USP Council meeting is a sign of growing crisis of regionalism.

This was confirmed by the President of the Vanuatu Students Association, Glen Bule.

Bule said they are grateful that the students will get to spend this festive season with their families in Vanuatu.

The Student President also wished all families and friends of Vanuatu students studying in USP and in Fiji a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year 2021.

Close to 230 Vanuatu citizens have been part of the government’s repatriation flights from Fiji in the first and second repatriation flights for 2020.

The council, which has been in recess since reinstating the Vice Chancellor and President on 19 June, is also expected to discuss a letter by students, staff and alumni members of the regional institution.

Staff union secretary Ilima Finiasi said they were calling on the council to inform those named in the report that it intended to officially release the report within 30 days.

The Vanuatu Association of Sports and Olympic Committee is encouraging local clubs to sign their teams up for the competition.

All the clubs that are willing to participate in the one-day tournament, are expected to be at VASANOC House, on Thursday from 12-1pm.

Interested teams are being urged to send one rep to the meeting house where all the information regarding the tournament will be given out by the organizing committee.

The local rugby 7s tournament will be held on 24 July.

Mr Aingimea has also declared that he will immediately seek the support of Council colleagues to call a special Council meeting as a matter of urgency.

Calling yesterday’s decision to stand down Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia “a sad day in the history of this esteemed institution,” Mr Aingimea said, “the very individuals responsible for carrying out good governance have failed this great university.

BDO Auckland was engaged to investigate alleged corruption at the university.

According to the Islands Business, the USP Council said in a statement the BDO report had resulted in a "range of findings and recommendations that will need to be addressed to ensure the sound operation of the university".

However, the council did not say what the BDO's recommendations are.

The allegations were raised in a paper by the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, titled Issues, Concerns and Breaches of Past Management and Financial Decisions.

The terms of reference for the investigation have been drawn up and sent to University Council members for their approval.

In a statement, the university said once the terms are approved, the risk and audit committee will invite several independent investigators to register their interest.

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption is conducting a separate investigation into the allegations, which were first reported by Islands Business last month.

This was made possible through a partnership signed between the University of the South Pacific and the Australian Government supported Australian Pacific Coalition at the Laucala Campus.

The partnership marks the first in a new approach APTC is taking to its engagement with TVET institutions and other partners across the region.