Govt to appoint new FNU Council amid concerns over Vice-Chancellor probe

The Government is in the process of appointing new members to the Fiji National University (FNU) Council, raising concerns about the continuity of investigations into complaints against Vice-Chancellor Dr Unaisi Nabobo-Baba.

Speaking to this masthead yesterday, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he had asked Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro earlier in the day to finalise names for the new council, as the term of the previous council had expired.

“I’ve asked him to send me a list of those they have in mind for the change,” the Prime Minister said.

This masthead has obtained a whistleblower report lodged against Dr Nabobo-Baba alleging bias and discrimination against a former senior staff member and council member.

The report was also forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Education and former FNU Council chairman Semesa Karavaki.

Mr Karavaki said the previous council had intended to discipline Dr Nabobo-Baba following its investigation, but this was halted after the announcement that the university’s operations would shift to the Prime Minister’s Office.

He is urging Mr Radrodro to ensure the new council follows through with investigating the complaints.

“If the minister can consider continuity, and ensure that all those issues the former council was trying to address are not lost in the change,” Mr Karavaki said yesterday.

Mr Rabuka did not say whether the pending allegations against the vice-chancellor would be pursued. Instead, he said there was a process to be followed under the institution’s whistleblower policy.

“The proper authority should investigate. If there is credibility, then we take it up through the normal disciplinary process.”

Meanwhile, Mr Rabuka denied any involvement in the affairs of the university.

His comments follow concerns about a potential conflict of interest after the university’s operations were moved from the Ministry of Education to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I have a sister there and I have a daughter there, and they are there in their own capacities and I have not tried to interfere. In fact, if there is any insinuation on that, I would advise them to leave,” Mr Rabuka said.

The Prime Minister was on a medical trip to New Zealand last month when permanent secretary for Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics Peni Sikivou notified Mr Radrodro of the transition.

The announcement sparked questions about the legality of the move and the handling of allegations of mismanagement against Dr Nabobo-Baba.

Council members

Under the FNU Act, the Vice-Chancellor is one of the four official members of the council. Ten members are appointed by the Minister for Education.

The former council comprised:

• Semesa Karavaki – chairman
• Alisi Vudiabola – deputy chairperson
• Peter Zinck
• Priscilla Puamau
• Muniappar Goundar
• Pravinesh Singh
• Tevita Madigibuli
• Peninsula Cirikiyasawa
• Selina Vatuvoka

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