The University of the South Pacific Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia is on record talking about how the University Grants Committee has strongly endorsed all and any restructure plans by the VC and his team.

He said this during:

• Staff meeting held on Monday where he had three faculty forums
• He repeated the same thing in Monday’s press gathering
• He then had a non-faculty forum on Tuesday

But has the University Grants Committee really endorsed, let alone, strongly endorsed the restructure or reorganisation plans? They have not, according to chair Sunil Sharma.

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Those who are familiar with the July meeting are adamant that nothing of such was endorsed by the committee.

Mr Sharma is adamant that nothing was endorsed by the committee. Why are the staff being told that the committee has strongly endorsed any restructure? What role is the New Zealand representative on the committee playing in this?

The committee does not endorse any restructure. Why would the Grants Committee be mentioned in this manner?

The current committee:

Chair: Sunil Sharma, Fiji

External Members:

Professor Kevin Dunn, Australia (on behalf of Professor Barney Glover)

Russell Ballard, New Zealand

Regional Members:

Isoa Talemaibua, Fiji

Garth Henderson, Cook Islands

Muli’agatele Rosalini Moli-Reupena, Samoa

Mckinnie Dentana, Solomon Islands

Pilimilose Balwyn Fa’otusia, Tonga

Rosita Mauai, Tokelau

Development Partners: Australia – DFAT, EU, New Zealand – MFAT (by invitation)

Rochelle White, Australia – DFAT

Adrian Nicolae, European Union

Amy McAteer, New Zealand – MFAT

Surava Elaisa, New Zealand – MFAT

Iwano Taisuke, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan

Vanessa Vudika (attended before First Secretary joined the meeting)

What is the University Grants Committee?

The University Grants Committee for the University of the South Pacific was established in 1971.

Its terms of reference are:

“To enquire into the recurrent and capital needs of the university as expressed in the university’s Strategic Plan and to provide the principal source of advice to the participating governments of the region of the total grant deemed to be necessary towards meeting them over a three-year period. In doing so the committee will:

Examine the academic and financial effectiveness of the University;
Consider the reasonable expected operating and capital cost of each of the new developments put forward by the University and the governments.
Ensure that the proposed developments meet and are consistent with the national interests and financial capabilities of the countries involved; and
Consult with the Vice Chancellor and President of the university in developing its recommendations.

The University Grants Committee needs to take note of what is being claimed in their name.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj