Regional News

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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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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Pacific journos converge in Suva for ‘talkfest’

Journalists from 11 Pacific Island countries were part of the East-West Centre's Pacific Islands Journalism Reporting Tour 2019. Picture: SUPPLIED By WANSOLWARA STAFF Twelve leading journalists from 11 Pacific Island countries converge in Suva, Fiji, this Friday, to discuss critical issues affecting the region, including climate change and natural disaster relief and recovery, and regional security. The one-day Capstone at The University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Campus marks the culmination of three weeks of dialogue, study and reporting tour of the U.S undertaken by the journalism fellows, covering Honolulu, Washington D.C., Galveston, and San Francisco. The study tours funded by…

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Report reveals alleged instances of ‘significant cash leakages’ at USP

By GERALDINE PANAPASA The Auckland-based accounting firm that carried out an independent investigation into recent allegations of abuse of office at The University of the South Pacific has found that four remuneration mechanisms were collectively exploited, resulting in significant cash leakages across the University over a number of years. According to the Summary of the Independent Investigation Report by BDO Auckland, released yesterday by the Special Committee of the USP Council, these mechanisms included inducement allowances, responsibility and acting allowances, bonuses and consultancy arrangements. The summary did not specify in dollar terms the cost to USP of the "significant cash leakages" and it did not implicate anyone by name, although these details…

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PCC, Youngsolwara lead candlelight vigil for West Papua

Youngsolwora students from USP stand in solidarity with West Papua during the candlelight vigil at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Suva on Friday. Picture: HARRISON SELMEN By HARRISON SELMEN The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) and YoungSolwora students at The University of the South Pacific led a candlelight vigil at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Suva on Friday to support West Papuan’s call for a referendum and independence. The event was a show of solidarity to share and pray for West Papua as recent media reports revealed escalating tension, unrest and alleged deaths of indigenous West Papuan protestors.…

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USP journo students return from Solomons climate reporting project

Most coastal villages in Honiara depend heavily on the sea for survival. Picture: ROSALIE NONGEBATU/Wansolwara By MICHAEL ANDREW, Asia Pacific Report/Pacific Media Centre/Wansolwara A group of University of the South Pacific journalism students have returned from a week-long trip to the Solomon Islands covering communities at the forefront of climate change. Rosalie Nongebatu, Romeka Kumari and Ben Bilua, who are also part of Wansolwara team, were selected to be a part of the project “Adapting to and mitigating effects of climate change and island sea level rise,” funded through the Internews/Earth Journalism Network (EJN) Asia-Pacific and Bay of Bengal 2019 media grants.…

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Wansolwara special edition hot off the press

The second edition of Wansolwara focuses on USP's 50th Anniversary and the people-power behind its success. Picture: WANSOLWARA STAFF   By WANSOLWARA STAFF The latest edition of Wansolwara has hit the news stands, featuring the high-level visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, an exclusive interview with the outgoing USP Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rajesh Chandra, and the profile of incoming Vice-Chancellor and President designate, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, alumni and leading academics. The special edition is the second publication produced by USP journalism students focusing on USP’s 50th Anniversary and the people power behind the institution’s remarkable progress over five decades. Some of the highlights of…

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Royal visit a ‘humbling experience’ for USP students

USP Journalism student Apenisa Vatuniveivuke, far left, was one of 10 students from the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education chosen to meet the royal couple at Laucala campus today. Picture: MINISTRY OF INFORMATION   By MEREONI MILI MEETING the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in person was a humbling experience for specially selected students from The University of the South Pacific including two first-year journalism students, Apenisa Vatuniveivuke and Dhruvkaran Nand. Vatuniveivuke, who is an undergraduate student majoring in journalism and law, said he was pleased to be one of 10 students from the Faculty of Arts, Law and…

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Jimmy releases book ‘for all silenced women’

A collection of poems titled Journey of Truth was written by USP Journalism student Telstar Jimmy (Vanuatu). Picture: SUPPLIED/TELSTAR JIMMY   By HARRISON SELMEN  Vanuatu student journalist Telstar Jimmy launched her first poetry book in Fiji last week and vows bigger plans ahead to to help boost publishing in her country. Although it took her several years to achieve her passion, Jimmy was proud that everyone around her is enjoying the moment. “I feel relieved that I was finally able to publish, and overjoyed that I can now be able to share my poems with others – not just in…

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Royals begin Fiji tour

The royal couple wave to the crowd on the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel. Picture: MINISTRY OF INFORMATION   By WANSOLWARA STAFF A large crowd gathered at The University of the South Pacific's Laucala campus this morning to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. During the State Dinner hosted by President Jioji Konrote at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva last night, the Duke of Sussex said they looked forward to meeting students at USP and young leaders from all walks of life. "The health and sustainability of this planet depends on the younger generation,…

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