Cabinet to decide on FNU reassignment: PM Rabuka

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the placement of Fiji National University (FNU) under his office has not been finalised and will be decided by Cabinet.

“It is not under the portfolio of the Prime Minister yet — that has to be decided and dealt with in Cabinet,” Mr Rabuka said yesterday.

His comments come amid growing questions about the legality of FNU’s reassignment from the Ministry of Education without amendments to the Fiji National University Act, which currently places the institution under the authority of the Education Minister.

Mr Rabuka said the issue was first raised by FNU Council chairman Semesa Karavaki and the council.

“The issue came up from Karavaki and his council who suggested it in the first place,” he said.

When asked about calls for a full investigation into Vice-Chancellor Dr Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, the Prime Minister said the Government first needed clarity on the basis for any inquiry.

“We have to get a report, but what is the report which has to be investigated?” he said.

The controversy escalated after Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo announced in January that responsibility for FNU had been transferred to the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics.

Mr Karavaki has since described the move as a “takeover”, saying it undermined the independence of the FNU Council and interfered with disciplinary processes involving the Vice-Chancellor.

The council has requested an urgent meeting with Mr Rabuka, stating it was not consulted before the reassignment was announced.

Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has defended the change, saying it aligns FNU more closely with national planning priorities.