USP

Rabuka says his party will submit a resolution of support for USP and urge the Fijian Govt to pay the funds it is withholding from USP
PIF appears reluctant to congratulate USP on its new and historic world ranking as an institution of learning - Rabuka

Rabuka says his party will submit a resolution of support for USP and urge the Fijian Govt to pay the funds it is withholding from USP

PIF appears reluctant to congratulate USP on its new and historic world ranking as an institution of learning - Rabuka

By Naveel Krishant
10/09/2021
People's Alliance Party Leader Sitiveni Rabuka. [image: file]

People's Alliance Party Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka says when the party has its first full executive meeting, he will submit a resolution of support for the USP and the resolution will also urge the Fijian Government to pay the funds it is withholding from the regional educational institute.

In a statement, Rabuka says the Government is doing this to coerce the university to accept Fiji’s views on issues relating to Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia and some governance issues.

Rabuka also says the Fijian Government is obviously unable to accept regional decisions made by the USP Council and that is because they have a problem with democracy.

Rabuka adds the institution has brought many benefits to Fiji as its host country, and served the development needs of the region.

He further says the Pacific Islands Forum appears reluctant to congratulate USP on its new and historic world ranking as an institution of learning.

Rabuka says the USP has received many congratulatory statements from Fiji, the region and further abroad but the Pacific Islands Forum Chair and head office in Suva are conspicuous by their silence adding that this is shameful.

Rabuka says it is a slap in the face for students and staff at the USP.

He says Fiji’s Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, as Chair of the Forum, has a duty to the region to ensure that the PIF, as a body, gives credit where credit is due.

Rabuka adds Bainimarama should rise above his own Government’s petty dispute with the USP and Bainimarama must surely know that the USP has wide and well-deserved support in our region.

Rabuka also says he notes that there had been comment about the precise significance of the USP earning a first-time rating from the prestigious Times Higher Education University rankings

However Rabuka says Phil Baty of Times Higher Education, who had raised this issue, had affirmed that the USP’s rating achievement was nonetheless “fantastic”.

He says he would recommend to Bainimarama that he should carefully and personally peruse the ministerial statement on the USP in the Nauru Parliament this week by Nauru President Lionel Aingimea.

Rabuka further says Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who has a leading role in Fiji’s ill-conceived dispute with the USP, would also do well to study it.


FEATURE NEWS
Ratu Tevita Mara to be installed as Tui Nayau today on Nayau Island
Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara will be installed as Tui Nayau today on Nayau Island. The title has been left vacant for more than 20 years following t...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Death toll from Texas flooding at 90, including 27 from all-girls camp
At least 90 people have died after devastating floods hit central Texas. Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp that sits along the Guadalupe ...
2 minutes ago

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u of Tonga to begin historic State visit to Fiji today
In a landmark diplomatic engagement for the Pacific region, Fiji will welcome King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u, of the Kingdom of Tonga for a ...
1 hour ago

Team Fiji: Young, Miller, Karan and Qaqa win gold at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau
Heleina Young, Frederico Miller, Yeshnil Karan and Errol Qaqa all secured gold medals for Fiji at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau. Young says she ...
1 hour ago

Lineage of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara traced back to Ratu Seru Cakobau - Ratu Kalivati
The Vanua of Bau recognises the installation of the Tui Nayau and the Sau ni Vanua o Lau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, as a sign of respect and ...
15 hours ago

Danger zone : Pac Harbour Fire Station closes this Friday due to NFA relocation issues
Pacific Harbour Fire Station is closing down as the plot is owned by Damodar Yatu Lau Pte Limited which has taken it back for development and the ...
15 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
21 hours ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
4 days ago

Pacific Mini Games in Palau, 2025
Full coverage of Team Fiji's journey through the 2025 Palau Games.
5 days ago

TOP