Emeritus Professor of Geography Randy Thaman says he wants allegations levelled against the University of the South Pacific vice-chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, to be looked at carefully.
He said he and his wife, academic Professor Konai Helu Thaman had submitted some papers to the university council and it was time the council looked at the submissions.
“All I can say is, let the council meet and deliberate on it and to take a look at all the submissions that they’ve got,” he said.
He said the BDO report was basically about whistleblowing on what happened when former vice-chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra was in charge.
He said similar allegations of malpractice had been levelled against Prof Ahluwalia.
“And so what Fiji is saying, until they look at those, we are not going to support you because you have not been fair.
“Pal spending all of his time trying to implicate Rajesh and follow up on him but they were not willing to investigate all the allegations against Pal for malpractice and so until such time, whether or not they are going to do it.
“We want the allegations that have been brought up to be looked at carefully and I think that is what the Fijian Government wants.”
USP chancellor and Nauru President Lionel Aingimea said he was aware of the allegations against Prof Ahluwalia.
“And, of course, not only have complaints come in against the VC but quite a few strong letters also in support of the VC,” he said.
“And also whether they’re in support of complaints, quite a few council members are aware of them but they’re neither here nor there.
“They’re taken at the value in which they are given.”
Meanwhile, it is understood four USP staff members were suspended yesterday for allegedly leaking information.
