EDUCATION Minister and FNU council chair Dr Mahendra Reddy says while there were differences between him and former FNU vice-chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand, his split from FNU was amicable.
Speculation was rife that Dr Chand would have his contract terminated by the FNU council before the New Year, but Dr Reddy said this was not a termination.
“The council decided to come up with an amicable settlement with the vice-chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand and the council decided mutually with Dr Chand that he will leave FNU,” Dr Reddy said.
He said the FNU council wanted a “redirection and consolidation of the university’s strategic focus” which was not the same direction Dr Chand was taking the university.
“There was a slight divergence and we thought it is important instead of having differences, this is the best time to kind of refocus, so that is the understanding we had mutually with Dr Chand.
“There were some differences between Dr Chand and myself as the chair (of the FNU council) but we discussed it and he decided maybe this is the best time to step down.
“We believe that now is not the time to make any new major expansion but the time to consolidate, and I think that’s where the difference is.
“There is a new government and there is a new chair so there are bound to be differences.”
Dr Reddy said Dr Chand’s departure had nothing to do with ongoing FICAC investigations at FNU, adding he did not know the focus of the investigations because of the confidentiality of FICAC matters.
But he said he was happy with Dr Chand’s performance in his tenure as vice chancellor.
“Dr Chand has done a great job in establishing some schools in the university that followed the amalgamation of the six State institutions.
“And over the last five years, major developments have taken place in FNU and this has been undertaken under the able leadership of Dr Chand.”
Dr Reddy said the decision for Dr Chand to step down was made at an FNU council meeting last Tuesday.
He told reporters the council decision was communicated to Dr Chand following the meeting.
However, when The Fiji Times approached Dr Chand on the day of the meeting, he remained adamant of his continuing vice chancellor role and dismissed claims of being replaced.
When further questioned on whether he knew of the FNU council meeting where his departure was decided, Dr Chand said the meet was a normal FNU council meeting held every December and there was no mention of his tenure coming to an end.
Dr Reddy said Dr Chand remained vice chancellor until midnight of Tuesday before giving up his post.
Yesterday Dr Chand was hosted to a farewell dinner in the west and confirmed his departure and also said that it was made in amicable cicumstances.
“We mutually agreed to this and I believe Dr Reddy has given a statement and I am happy with that.”
He said will make further comments today.
Acting vice chancellor Professor Ian Rouse said he felt very privileged, adding it was a great opportunity to act in the position.
“I have certainly indicated to the Minister that I am ready to help out and I am strongly supportive of the Fiji education system and the FNU,” Prof Rouse said.
Attempts to obtain comments from Dr Chand were unsuccessful yesterday.
Dr Chand was appointed director of the then-Fiji Institute of Technology in 2007, and he had three years left on his term as vice chancellor of the institution, which was later renamed Fiji National Univeristy.
