Pal Escaping the Burning House; AUSPS

University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice-Chancellor and President (VCP) Professor Pal Ahluwalia is escaping the ‘burning house’ at Laucala Campus as the two staff unions passionately strike for his removal from the position.

The Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff Association (AUSPS) general secretary Rosalia Fatiaki said its day Four (yesterday) of the strike and they are still awaiting for formal correspondence from senior USP management.

While the strike continues, Professor Ahluwalia has strongly received criticism from staff, political commentators as he is no where to be seen.

A release from USP on Tuesday stated that Professor Ahluwalia is engaged in official university business across the region.

The release clarified that in recent weeks, VCP Ahluwalia officiated the opening of the new Solomon Islands campus in Honiara and attended the Tonga campus graduation ceremony.

“He also participated in the Pacific Islands Universities Research Network (PIURN) meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu,” the statement said.

“This week, the VCP is leading the USP delegation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, where USP is actively involved in the opening ceremony, exhibitions, roundtable discussions, and is jointly hosting the ACU Scholarships announcement by His Majesty, King Charles III.”

While the statement provide clarification on Professor Ahluwalia whereabouts, the unions are not buying it.

Professor Ahluwalia was also expected to attend the RISE – Fiji Government symposium at the Fiji National University yesterday. It is understood he declined last minute due to his CHOGM engagement.

“While the houses are burning at Laucala Campus, the Vice-Chancellor is on a plane to Vanuatu last week,” Ms Fatiaki said.

“Now, he is in Samoa, when USP is not featuring in any side events, as we understand from reports we are getting from Samoa.

“USP has lost its regional emblem because we are not led by a Pacific islander.

Ms Fatiaki said this is the strong stand for the unions, clarifying that they are not politicizing the issue.

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