The University of the South Pacific has invited four Auckland-based accounting firms to bid for the task of undertaking an independent investigation into allegations by the USP’s current Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
The allegations are raised in a paper “Issues, Concerns and Breaches of Past Management and Financial Decisions” which questions the circumstances around a number of appointments and financial decisions during the tenure of the previous VC.
Bids to conduct the investigation will close on Monday and the USP’s Audit and Risk Committee will meet on Tuesday to appoint the investigator.
Meanwhile Fiji’s Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has told parliament it wouldn’t be prudent to comment on the matter. Fiji is USP’s largest funder and provides the majority of its students.
Australia’s High Commission in Suva has also declined to comment on the matter.
The report of the Independent Investigator is due by August 16.
For detailed coverage of the controversy at USP, pick up a copy of the June issue of Islands Business.
