Protest demands ‘Pal’s exit from USP
“Pal is not a citizen of Fiji, neither a citizen of the 12 member countries of USP,” Ms Rashni said.
Thursday 22 May 2025 | 08:26
Updated 08 August 2025 | 15:42 FJT
Staff and students of the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, during their protest outside Vice Chancellor’s office on May 21, 2025 Photo: Ronald Kumar
Staff and students gathered outside the Vice Chancellor’s office at the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Laucala Campus yesterday, demanding the exit of Professor Pal Ahluwalia and the reinstatement of terminated lecturer Tamara Osborne-Naikatini.
“The council was reminded of its duties to the stakeholders and the students and staff have raised issues. They basically want Professor Ahluwalia to leave because of the instability he has caused in the university,” Dr Osborne-Naikatini said.
The demonstration coincided with the 99th USP Council meeting being held in Auckland, New Zealand, raising questions as the location has no USP campus.
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Ms Osborne-Naikatini revealed that Professor Ahluwalia had previously offered to resign, which was confirmed in Parliament by Minister of Education Aseri Radrodro last year.
“We understand from what we hear through staff members at USP that there were negotiations made, negotiations negotiating his exit,” she said.
“We are requesting that the council release some of that information to us.”
PhD candidate Bindiya Rashni, one of Ms Osborne-Naikatini’s students, expressed frustration over the situation that has lasted more than a semester.
“This is the first time in any university that students, 12 PhD and master’s students, are actually still waiting for their supervisor to be reinstated,” Ms Rashni said.
Students were forced to change supervisors to “administrative people” who could sign documents, while Mr Osborne-Naikatini continues to help students from home despite being unemployed since her termination in June 2024.
“Pal is not a citizen of Fiji, neither a citizen of the 12 member countries of USP,” Ms Rashni said.
She has called on the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro to “please support your Fijian students”.
The University of the South Pacific Students Association (USPSA) reportedly remained unaware of the protest.
Questions sent to the university remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
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