FNU Council seeks meeting with PM over governance concerns

The Fiji National University (FNU) Council has formally sought an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, raising serious concerns about governance, due process and its exclusion from a recent decision affecting the university.

In a letter written by FNU Council chair Semesa Karavaki and sighted by The Fiji Sun, the council said it was not consulted or informed before responsibility for the university was reassigned from the Ministry of Education to the Prime Minister’s portfolio.

The council said the move had effectively “shut out” the university’s highest governing body from decisions central to FNU’s operations, independence and accountability.

While stating it was not opposed to the reassignment itself, the Council said the process followed had created division and undermined trust, alleging that management actions bypassed required council resolutions and formal oversight.

Mr Karavaki said the council was deeply concerned about the manner in which the decision was made, noting that the FNU Act clearly outlines the council’s role as the supreme authority responsible for governance, strategic oversight and senior appointments.

The letter said the lack of consultation raised questions about compliance with established governance frameworks and the principles of institutional autonomy.

Internal red flags

The Council said the situation had been compounded by unresolved internal governance matters, including complaints and whistleblower concerns related to senior decision-making, appointments and contract processes.

To protect oversight and transparency, the Council said it had moved to pause senior appointments and contract renewals pending further review, and had begun steps toward an independent external assessment of governance and human resource processes.

The letter warned that the convergence of unresolved internal issues, whistleblower complaints and a sudden high-level political reassignment during ongoing internal processes raised “multiple red flags” consistent with international cases where university governance had been compromised.

Call for independent review

The Council is now calling for an independent, internationally aligned investigation to restore confidence, protect whistleblowers, uphold the rule of law and safeguard academic integrity.

It said such a process would provide clarity to all stakeholders and help chart a way forward that strengthens governance rather than deepening institutional instability.

The Council said it remains committed to good governance and national development goals, and is seeking dialogue with the Prime Minister to ensure fairness, transparency and natural justice prevail.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet publicly responded to the Council’s request.