USP has been hijacked, says incoming Chancellor
Government
Information Office
MEDIA
RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, 10 June, 2020
USP has been hijacked,
says incoming Chancellor
The President of Nauru and incoming
Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Lionel
Aingimea says the institution has been hijacked, and declared that
he will immediately seek the support of Council colleagues to call
a special Council meeting as a matter of urgency.
Calling yesterday's decision to stand
down Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia "a sad day in the
history of this esteemed institution," President Aingimea said,
"the very individuals responsible for carrying out good governance
have failed this great university.
"The disciplinary ordinance for
dealing with the Vice Chancellor has been violated. There are
processes and procedures which dictate how such matters should be
dealt with but these have simply been ignored.
"Due process requires that any
investigation or action against the Vice Chancellor must be
sanctioned by Council when the allegations have been brought to its
attention," he said.
"This did not happen and we are in
this current crisis because of failed governance."
President Aingimea, who is a Council
member and USP alumnus, is due to take up his post on July 1, and
said the USP is a regional university owned by 12 member countries
and must remain so.
"The region must not allow USP to
become another national university. All member countries must have
a say in its future."
He revealed that he twice wrote to the
full Council pointing out the need for caution and a considered
response to allegations levelled against the Vice Chancellor, but
said instead, "I have witnessed the vilification and lack of
natural justice being accorded to the Vice Chancellor."
ENDS///
Issued
by:
Nauru
Government Information Office, Republic of NAURU
Ph: +(674)
557 3009 E: gio.nauru@gmail.com / naurugovinfo@gmail.com / www.naurugov.nr (mpr)