USP Job Revelations:10 High-Level USP Appointments Allegedly Did Not Follow Processes

About 10 recent high-level appointments at the University of the South Pacific (USP) under Professor Pal Ahluwalia’s leadership allegedly did not follow USP processes.

And, the minimum qualification requirement in a number of appointments, appeared written so as to exclude other meritorious candidates.

All these allegations have been gathered from numerous well-placed USP sources. They come amidst continuing controversy following the deportation of Professor Ahluwalia.

The USP communications team was made aware of each of the allegations, but have not responded.

Allegations:

1. Appointment of Rajni Chand as Director of the Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL)

From 2016 the Centre for Flexible Learning was led by a Pro Vice Chancellor (Professor Som Naidu) who has received international recognitions and awards for his work in Online and Distance Learning and is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

At the end of Professor Naidu’s contract in December 2020, this leadership role was downgraded to a Senior Lecturer.

This was not mentioned in the restructure approved by the University Council even though the advertisement for the position claimed: “As a result of the reorganisation of the USP that was approved by Council at its 90th meeting held on November 18 and 19, 2020, we now seek to fill the role of Director Center for Flexible Learning”.

A three year contract was awarded to Rajni Chand, but her position was only advertised internally despite Professor Ahluwalia and his human resources team insisting in other cases that all appointments for more than one year must be advertised externally.

There were three other applicants who applied for the position which was ultimately given to Ms Chand.

Of the three other applicants who applied:

• One was an Associate Professor with substantial research and publications in the field of technology enabled learning,
• A second was a Senior Lecturer who had previously held the position of Faculty Associate Dean Learning and Teaching and had extensive experience of Faculty and University level management in this field,
• The third was a senior female member of staff within the Centre for Flexible Unit who has a doctorate and significant research and publication outcomes in Online and Distance Learning as well as being a long-standing departmental manager within the CFL unit.

Rajni Chand.

15. Dismissal of Hasmukh Lal

A section head was summarily dismissed by Professor Ahluwalia in 2020.

Fiji Sun obtained information from USP staff and those who know the process and also sighted Professor Randy Thaman’s letter to the council. Former VC dismissed CEO of Pacific TAFE, Hasmukh Lal on the allegation of use of USP document and later plagiarism.

According to Professor Thaman such allegation needs a proper Research Committee to investigate. Such committee will use expert judgement to detect intellectual property and advise HR and VC for necessary actions.

This process was avoided. Fiji Sun obtained a letter in 2020 which was covered by other media that was written by Mr Lal to council to do independent investigation using proper process and he will pull the case out of Court and accept final decision. We ascertain this was not done and case is proceeding.

In that letter, Mr Lal stated that he denied the allegation and was not given a chance to prove himself (no natural justice).

This is breach of employment contract. Professor Ahluwalia had a deep conflict of interest with Mr Lal on various matters.

Professor Ahluwalia did not complain to the awarding institution which was the rightful authority to investigate.

Fiji Sun also found through social media that privileged documents with official records were leaked to humiliate and vilify Mr Lal.

16. Director Communications and Marketing:

It is alleged that this position was tailor-made for a person who is currently holding a similar position in another tertiary learning institution.

One part of the minimum qualification requirement for the post was allegedly lifted from the LinkedIn profile of this lady who may be the only person in Fiji affiliated to a certain international organisation, a requirement which found its way into the MQR.

USP:

A release from USP earlier stated: “USP will not engage publicly on its recruitment processes or recruitment policies in respect to individual contracts. Staff contracts are matters between an employer and employee and not for public scrutiny.

“All recruitments at USP are on merit in compliance and consistent with policies and procedures.”

However, no response was made after Fiji Sun presented new allegations to them.

Feedback: shalveen.chand@fijisun.com.fj