THE University of the South Pacific’s governing body is deeply divided on the way forward with the deportation of the former vice-chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Prof Pal’s employment contract ended when his work permit was cancelled.
“The discussions on Friday (special USP Council meeting), which unfortunately went on for five hours were on whether the contract was still in place, because Nauru wanted to amend the contract and so our argument was you cannot amend the contract that has already been terminated.
“You can only amend something that is in existence.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said during the council’s meeting last Friday, Government argued that proper procedures need to be followed to appoint a new VC for the university.
“All we argued on Friday was that because some members wanted him to be immediately brought back, all we said was there are various standard operating procedures, the various regulations, that should be followed.
“We actually as a council member representing Fiji, don’t want to prejudice who was going to be appointed the vice-chancellor.
“We simply said follow the process.
“Contract’s terminated, you want to appoint a new VC, follow the process, advertise, whatever you need to do as stated in the various procedures.”
Debate was heated when Parliament discussed the ongoing issues at the regional institution, Social Democratic Liberal Party leader and Opposition MP Viliame Gavoka calling on Government to explain the reason behind the deportation.
Mr Gavoka said Government needed to provide an answer to the Fijian people.
“There is even talk of countries in the Pacific relocating students away from Fiji to other universities.
“You did not start USP, you were born yesterday, you just came in yesterday.
“The USP is the pride of the Pacific, the pride of Fiji, and you clowns are now saying that it’s okay you can take it away.
“You are unbelievable. “I’ve never met a bunch of clowns like the ones I’m seeing now.”
