USP

FICAC investigated mismanagement of funds at the University of the South Pacific

The Prosecution’s second witness, Kuliniasi Saumi, revealed this when he gave evidence in the case against former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho.

Bainimarama is charged with a count of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Qiliho is charged with a count of abuse of office.

The charges stem from a complaint filed by the university in July 2019 pertaining to the conduct of former staff members.

USP semester zero initiative will begin on Monday 9 January

The initiative is focused on all first-year students – local and regional students joining the University in 2023. 

Commencing January 9, future USP students will have the opportunity to experience what tertiary education is like for the next five weeks. 

This one-of-a-kind initiative provides a free online orientation for provisional and potential first-year students to learn more about USP and get a “feel” of university life.

Semester Zero is a timely initiative offered only by USP for her students and will be hosted on USP’s Moodle platform. 

University lobby group fears for its future

The Government has failed to pay its obligatory grant to the university for the past three years, and now owes the USP more than $60 million Fijian dollars.

The group says Fiji benefits hugely from the USP.

They say for every dollar invested by the Government the return to the Fiji economy is eight dollars from taxes, rents, medical spending, utilities, food and other good, and transport.

NORI Scholarship recipients to begin studies in Fiji early March

LCK Aroi and Ginette Teabuge signed their scholarship contract with NORI in-country Manager Peter Jacob.

Aroi and Teabuge will be joining fellow NORI scholarship recipient and former high school mate, Annarose Ribauw who is in to her second year of studies at USP.

Aroi is undertaking a three-year Bachelor of Science programme with a pathway in Environmental earth science, while Teabuge is doing a three-year Bachelor of Science programme with a pathway in Biological science.

President Aingimea congratulates Hilda Heine as first Micronesian USP pro-chancellor

This is a huge accolade for Micronesia and extremely fitting that a great educationalist takes on this role at the region’s premier university.

USP is renowned for nurturing future leaders and having Dr Heine at the helm of the council will provide the leadership required to help USP achieve its aspirational goals.

This appointment follows a trail of notable ‘firsts’ for Dr Heine's whose remarkable career, resilient leadership regionally and internationally demonstrates an exceptional choice by the University Council.

Fiji university threat draws ire in New Zealand

This week the Fijian Government announced it wouldn't pay its multi-million grant to the university while the current vice chancellor Pal Ahluwalia remained at his post.

It has called for another investigation after an earlier one revealed significant abuses by the former Vice Chancellor, Rajesh Chandra, who is believed to have close links with the Fiji Government.

The Fiji Government earlier this year deported Professor Ahluwalia and his wife, after accusing them of immigration breaches.

VCP re-appointment not illegal, says USP Chancellor and Nauru President

A sub-committee chaired by President Aingimea presented six recommendations to the USP Council which convened a special meeting on 25 May and 2 June 2021, and agreed, among other matters, to offer a new contract to Professor Pal Ahluwalia  as the Vice-Chancellor and President (VCP) of the USP.

Students and staff are pleased with the recommendations and the outcome of the Council deliberations in re-appointing the VC.

“The Council stands for what’s right and that’s what the students and staff wants.”

USP assists private students through its Student Bursary Scheme

The Bursary Scheme is a tuition fee assistance scheme available to USPs private students …

A total of 281 private students studying at The University of the South Pacific (USP) have received financial assistance under the USP Student Bursary Scheme.

The Bursary Scheme is a tuition fee assistance scheme available to USP’s private students facing financial hardships. Successful recipients of the Scheme had 50% of their tuition fees paid for in either Semester 1 or Trimester 1, this year.

USP appoints acting vc, to probe Ahluwalia deportation

Paunga, who currently holds the position of Deputy VC Regional Campuses, Estates and Infrastructure, was appointed today following the deportation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.

Professor Aluwhalia and his wife were arrested at their Suva home on Wednesday night, told they were deemed a threat to the Fiji public, and swiftly deported to Australia.

The USP Council has this afternoon released a statement saying they were not consulted over Professor Pal Ahluwalia's deportation.

Pacific Churches and regional NGOs condemn removal of USP Vice Chancellor

 Immigration and police officers detained and later deported the head of the University of the South Pacific late on Wednesday on allegations that he had breached public safety.

 The Pacific Regional NGO (PRNGO) Alliance in a statement said the heavy handed decision by the Fiji Government to deport the University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia and his partner Sandra Price ahead of a USP Council meeting is a sign of growing crisis of regionalism.