Campus News

Fiji police question USP staff, probes gathering on campus

USP Laucala campus students rally for good governance. Picture: USPSA By WANSOLWARA STAFF TWO staff members at The University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus were called in, apparently for questioning, by officers from the Fiji Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Suva today. According to FBC News, police had started an investigation into the public gathering of USP staff and students with Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho stating they were looking at possible breaches of COVID-19 restrictions. Officers from the Fiji Police Force were also monitoring solidarity movements at USP’s Laucala campus over the past week where concerned…

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Mounting pressure to resolve impasse at USP

USP students in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Picture: USPSA/SUPPLIED By WANSOLWARA STAFF Pacific leaders are echoing strong calls for USP Council members to work together to resolve the ongoing challenges currently faced by the region’s premier educational institution. The call by Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano comes in the wake of mounting pressure from staff, students and stakeholders for good governance to prevail after the Executive Committee (EC) of the Council suspended Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia on Monday for alleged material misconduct, pending an investigation. The decision by the EC resulted in numerous demonstrations this week by concerned staff and students…

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Thompson maintains stance on suspension of USP’s VC

USP staff and students gather outside the New Administration Conference Room to show support for suspended VC Professor Pal Ahluwalia. Picture: Eliki Drugunalevu By WANSOLWARA STAFF The decision to suspend the academic chief of The University of the South Pacific pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of material misconduct was made legally by the University’s executive committee, says Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson. Mr Thompson was responding to claims from concerned staff, students and some council members that the suspension of Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia on Monday was illegitimate. During a press conference at USP’s Research Office at Laucala campus…

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Urgent call for USP Council to step in, reverse VC suspension

USP's suspended VC and President Prof Pal Ahluwalia speaks to staff and students rallying outside the Administration Block on Monday. He was subsequently suspended by the Executive Committee of the USP Council yesterday following allegations of material misconduct. Picture: SUPPLIED/USPSA By WANSOLWARA STAFF Nauru’s President Lionel Aingimea has called for a special council meeting to urgently reverse what he claims was an illegitimate decision to suspend The University of the South Pacific’s vice-chancellor this week, a move be believes has now jeopardized the future of the institution. In a letter to USP Council members, Mr Aingimea expressed his disappointment at…

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Staff, students back USP vice-chancellor as tensions build up over misconduct claims

USP students show support for Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia. Picture: SUPPLIED/ROSALIA FATIAKI By WANSOLWARA STAFF The fight for justice and good governance at The University of the South Pacific continued yesterday as staff and students echoed strong calls for members of the USP Council to allow Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia to carry out his work without impediments. Hundreds of staff and students rallied outside the New Administration Conference Room at Laucala campus in Suva with placards showing solidarity and support for Prof Ahluwalia as the special executive committee of the Council convened a meeting to discuss allegations of material misconduct…

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SI students told to remain in host countries amid COVID-19 crisis

Solomon Islands students at USP's Laucala campus. Picture: File photo/Jared Koli By JARED KOLI Solomon Islands Government (SIG) sponsored tertiary students studying in COVID-19 affected countries have been told to remain in their respective host institutions and countries. The decision was announced by the SI Cabinet after a request was made by SIG sponsored students studying in Fiji and Philippines to be repatriated home because of the threat of COVID-19 in those two countries. Students in Fiji were informed of the decision over the weekend through their education attaché in Suva via email and initially from Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary…

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USP cancels graduation in light of COVID-19 preventative measures on mass gatherings

USP has cancelled its graduation ceremony this week as a preventative measure to fight COVID-19. Picture: WANSOLWARA FILE By GERALDINE PANAPASA The University of the South Pacific has cancelled its upcoming graduation ceremony as a preventative measure to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). USP’s deputy vice-chancellor education Professor Jito Vanualailai said the unprecedented action had been taken to preserve greater health and safety of the public in light of the COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures on mass gatherings. The cancellation applied to the medals and prizes ceremony scheduled for tomorrow as well as the USP Graduation ceremony scheduled…

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NZ Prime Minister Ardern urges stronger Pacific voices

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (garland middle) with government representatives, and staff and students of USP. Picture: EPELI LALAGAVESI/WANSOLWARA By IAN CHUTE New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has encouraged staff and students of The University of the South Pacific (USP) to use their Pacific values and voices to eliminate the injustices of society. Ms Ardern made a four-day state visit to Fiji last week and used the occasion to deliver an awe-inspiring speech at USP’s Laucala campus on Wednesday February 26. She took a strong stand against discrimination and bullying, echoed the need to empower youth voices on the…

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USP opens new $4.4m entrance

The new entrance linking Queen Elizabeth Drive to Moana Drive at The University of the South Pacific. Picture: SUPPLIED/SPAC By IAN CHUTE The University of the South Pacific achieved another milestone yesterday with the opening of the new $4.4 million entrance at Laucala campus in Suva yesterday. The new entrance, aptly named University Avenue, along linking Queen Elizabeth Drive to Moana Drive was opened by the Tongan Minister for Education and Training, Siaosi ‘Ofa Ki Vahafolau Sovaleni. The development project includes a new 300-metre concrete paved road, parking for 100 cars, footpaths, streetlights, stormwater drainage, security booth and landscape. Tongan…

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$5m to upgrade USP facilities

An artist’s impression of the proposed Solomon Islands’ campus. The new campus is expected to be constructed opposite King George School in Honiara to cater for the growing number of students. Picture: USP SPAC By DIPESH KUMAR THE University of the South Pacific can expect improved facilities after Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia confirmed at least $5 million would be invested in deferred maintenance works this year. During the USP Vice-Chancellor and President’s Forum on September 13 last year at Laucala campus, Prof Ahluwalia said deferred maintenance works and improving the state of some campuses and facilities topped the…

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