Page 18 - Islands Business March 2024

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“This is where we feel a little hard done by Ahluwalia to determine whether to extend his term for a further two
because he never told us the truth.” years from August 2024 to August 2026. The exercise was
Union leaders have also expressed concern about the cost of required as part of USP policy.
Ahluwalia working out of Samoa. Islands Business obtained a copy of the report, prepared
“When he travels to Suva, he collects a daily per diem of by a subcommittee of the JCCS from face-to-face interviews
FJ$615. If he stays for a week, he collects more than $4,000. and written responses from key stakeholders across USP
That’s not including the airfares which USP also has to pay,” governance, management, and operations on the basis
Fong said. of confidentiality, given the “sensitive nature of the
Islands Business sent questions to Ahluwalia for his response reappointment process and the need to ensure an enabling
to these claims. and “safe” space for open and frank conversation with
stakeholders.”
Regional concerns The report said the extensive feedback on the VCP’s term at
Solomon Islands National University Vice Chancellor and the University “highlights a leadership context of navigating
leading regional academic, Professor Transform Aqorau complicated waters in unprecedented times.”
raised eyebrows when, during an address at the Fiji National The report found his “ability to steer the University through
University’s Nasinu Campus, he spoke out about the state of crises, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, was a recurring
USP. theme. His resilience, flexibility, and prudent financial
“It is disheartening to see [USP] being torn apart by those decisions — all without exhausting reserves or resorting to
whose interests do not align with serving the peoples of layoffs — were particularly acknowledged.”
the Pacific Islands but rather advancing their own agendas, On the other hand, the report said Ahluwalia’s leadership
thereby threatening the future of our thought leaders. I style “was identified as an area of critical concern.”
challenge us to consider who among us will … reclaim our “While his crisis management skills were acknowledged,
regional university and restore its rightful place in the there was criticism around his approach, which was seen by
Pacific.” many respondents as centralised, authoritarian, and reliant
Speaking to Islands Business afterwards, Professor Aqorau on personal loyalties. This approach created perceptions of
said he and Ahluwalia were on the same flight from Adelaide divisiveness, with a lack of trust and a sense of disconnect
to Nadi, when Ahluwalia first travelled to Fiji in 2018 to take felt among the staff. It appeared to contribute to a work
up his new post at USP. environment where some staff felt disempowered or
Aqorau said in their conversation, he told Ahluwalia that he undervalued.”
needed to turn USP into a center of excellence for the Pacific. The report said the VCP “currently faces a challenge in
“I encouraged him not to look back at what’s happened at rebuilding trust, particularly with staff and staff unions.
USP but to work with the mindset of taking USP forward. But Addressing issues of perceived favouritism and ensuring fair
he has spent half of his energy trying to fix the past instead of recognition and development opportunities for staff are
trying to think about what the future of USP can be like.” crucial. Staff welfare, including appropriate remuneration and
The problem at USP, he said, was “leadership, plain and opportunities for professional growth, was highlighted as an
simple.” area needing attention.”
“A lot of academics from the region and Fiji are leaving USP It also found “a clear indication of unrest and dissatisfaction
because they feel they are not valued anymore. They are not among the University staff, stemming from several factors,
happy with the environment they are working in. including perceived unfairness in recruitment, promotions,
“You can’t have a VC not living on the main campus, fair inconsistency in policy application, and unaddressed human
and simple. That must be sorted out first.” resource issues, including the failure to address issues of
Aqorau said the solution for USP’s problems is to get a new gender equality in staff recruitment and in leadership.
leader. These concerns, coupled with the sense of not being heard
“Find a new VC who loves the Pacific, knows the Pacific, or valued, have affected staff morale and, potentially, staff
and has a heart for the institution.” retention. This signalled an unstable University environment
Commenting on the looming strike action, Tongan Prime that required urgent attention.”
Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni-Huakavameiliku said on X: “We are The report also said that feedback highlighted Ahluwalia’s
concerned especially since we have a lot of students studying “prolonged absence” from Laucala Campus as “an area of real
at USP.” concern and creating much uncertainty across all areas of the
VCP’s functions and responsibilities.
Leadership “Much of the uncertainty manifested in staff and students
While the unions, observers such as Aqorau, and sections interpreting his decisions differently, coupled with what was
of senior management and the Council (albeit off-the-record) being described as varying explanations on his decisions to
are critical of Ahluwalia’s actions on several fronts, a report management and to those close to him.
by a Joint Committee of Council and Senate (JCCS) lays out “There was acknowledgement that while his stay in Samoa
an even-handed critique of Ahluwalia’s ‘strengths’, as well amid the Fiji crisis was justified, the current situation
concerns about his leadership as part of an internal exercise required his regular presence at Laucala for effective

18 Islands Business, March 2024