Page 17 - IB August 2024

Special Report Special Report

their roles at the University. Staff members and associates
have a responsibility to maintain the integrity, security and
confidentiality of that information, exercise good judgment
and discretion and comply with any University policies
and procedures or statutory obligations in relation to that
information.”
Clauses 4.2 and 4.4 of the Code for Professional Conduct
state that in dealings with the University, academic staff
should, “not disclose confidential information on University
matters without good cause,” and “abide by the terms of the
agreed contract of employment unless there are extenuating
and just circumstances to the contrary,” respectively.
Osborne-Naikatini is said to have breached these clauses
Dr Tamara Osborne-Naikatini … her PhD USP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pal
students want her back. Photo: Supplied Ahluwalia. Photo: USP Facebook page by speaking to Islands Business about the outcome of a
Council vote regarding the reappointment of Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Pal Ahluwalia. The information was published in the
across the entire School. Her position as the Chair of the March 2024 edition of Islands Business, in an article titled,
Biodiversity and Conservation group has put a halt on the ‘Where is USP heading amid a gathering storm?’
approvals of all Master’s and PhD proposals,” the petition While her comments to Islands Business were made in her
reads. capacity as President of the staff union, a position that some
“Dr Tamara is the backbone of my national research efforts USP staff members claim should have offered her exemption
to pave a pathway for freshwater ecology in the South Pacific from policies against revealing internal information to media,
region,” wrote one student. “Her abrupt termination has USP management claims that the sensitive information she
handicapped me academically to continue with my studies to shared was only known to her in her capacity as a member of
the point that I have taken a semester hiatus.” the Joint Committee of Council and Senate, and was part of a
“The crisis this has caused on the ground for us is huge,” “confidential session”.
another student told Islands Business. “I do research because Osborne-Naikatini herself says the allegations against her
I have a sense of responsibility towards my country and my were formalised on the precipice of the union calling out
region. And this is why we need new biology conservation what they believed to have been a questionable nomination
graduates, who will become the people to implement the process for the professorial representatives on the University’s
regional research agenda on the ground.” Council.
The group reportedly sought help from the student According to USP statutes, the Council must include two
association but, receiving no response from them, have professors at the University appointed by the University
resolved to trying to push the matter up to the USP Council. Senate. Osborne-Naikatini said that earlier this year,
They also plan to write to Fijian Education Minister, Aseri she received information that there might have been a
Radrodro. questionable nomination process for the two professorial
A former, long-standing staff member of the University who seats on Council. She raised the issue at the following Senate
has worked under several Vice-Chancellors, agreed with the meeting.
students’ concerns. “In preparation for that meeting, we submitted a letter to
“The decision to sack her is an extreme one to say the the Chair of Senate, and sent the same letter to the Chair of
least, and it is definitely not in the best interest of USP,” he Council, expressing our concerns over what seemed to be a
told Islands Business. “USP staff unions must be resolute, as nomination process that was muddied, I guess you could say,”
they have been, in demanding the immediate re-employment she said.
of Dr Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, who has an unblemished 12- “It was obvious that there was a push to have Council
year record as a biology lecturer and supervisor and student representation that would be in support of Ahluwalia.
mentor. “The end effect of me standing up in the Senate was [I
“The students are crying out for her return.” think it was just the week after, perhaps two weeks after]
that, I received the first letter [regarding the accusation of
Questionable process misconduct].”
Osborne-Naikatini is alleged to have breached
confidentiality contrary to her contract of employment, Whistleblowing
specifically clause 17.3 of the USP Staff Code of Conduct Ahluwalia himself had spoken out against mismanagement
Policy, and clauses 4.2 and 4.4 of the USP Code for and governance issues within the University early in his first
Professional Conduct for Academic Staff. term as the Vice-Chancellor, in a series of actions that kicked
Clause 17.3 of the Staff Code of Conduct Policy states that, up immense support from staff and students.
“It is acknowledged that staff members and associates may According to Osborne-Naikatini, the unions not only stood in
be granted access to confidential or sensitive information in Ahluwalia’s defence when the Fijian government at the time

Islands Business, August 2024 17