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The current impasse between the Lecturers Association of Solomon Islands National University (LASINU) and the Solomon Islands National Univeristy General Staff Association (SINUGSA) against Chand, whom they want ousted as Vice-Chancellor, has been referred to the Solomon Islands Trade Disputes Panel (TDP). Chand, who is currently in Fiji, told The Fiji Times reporter Anish Chand last month that the allegations made against him are 'preposterous, malicious and defamatory'. He said there was no truth to any of the allegations: "None whatsoever." Typically, The Fiji Times ran with his denial story. We do not know if Anish Chand or the Fiji Times had the raft of allegations on them. How could the readers judge for themselves? A lengthy Fijileaks investigation, however, raise some serious questions. Since our series of expose on Ganesh Chand's shenanigans at the Fiji National University, he has cut all contact with us.
Ratusaenile
ISSUES
Spying of emails of staff
Description
No.
(1)
While there is no direct mention of the VC's involvement to spy on the staff e-mails, it can be construed that the order to conudct this exercise must be approved from higher office at SINU, and this must be none other than the VC.
This is illegal as it intrudes into privacy of individual's staff and everyone invloved in this must be questioned and appropriate action taken against them. We believe that the chain of command in this illegal activity stops at the office of the VC.
The Internal Auditor and Manager have no right to spy on any staff's email even if it seemed as auditiing work. This is abus eof power of those concern[ed].
Please refer to attached email exchanges between the Manager of ICT, the Internal Auditor and certain ICT staff.
Spying of emails of staff
Description
No.
(1)
While there is no direct mention of the VC's involvement to spy on the staff e-mails, it can be construed that the order to conudct this exercise must be approved from higher office at SINU, and this must be none other than the VC.
This is illegal as it intrudes into privacy of individual's staff and everyone invloved in this must be questioned and appropriate action taken against them. We believe that the chain of command in this illegal activity stops at the office of the VC.
The Internal Auditor and Manager have no right to spy on any staff's email even if it seemed as auditiing work. This is abus eof power of those concern[ed].
Please refer to attached email exchanges between the Manager of ICT, the Internal Auditor and certain ICT staff.
(2) Abuses of Recruitment/Conflict of Interest
1. Vinod Sami Narayan (Executive Officer)
According to the investigation that we have carried out that Mr Vinod was appointed to the post of Executive Officer at the Vice Chancellor Office without going through the due process of recruitment. HR was not part of the interview process. Vinod was the only candidate interviewed by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Jack Maebuta and Executive Assistant of the VC despite a number of Solomon Islanders [having] applied for the post with qualification matched the job requirement. VC was also a referee to VINOD. VINOD was offered the post at Band 2.8 of the SINU salary structure which only fit for the local to be considered at the level. This is clearly abuse of power by the VC to bypass the mandated department to offer and recruit VINOD despite the VC is a referee and reated to VINOD when he was the VC of the FNU. Conflict of interest to say at least. This is a Band Two position that should be localized and priority should be given to qualified Solomon Islanders. We noted that the VC has the executive power under the SINU Act to recruit but shall be according to relevant policy direction. We also found that the candidate is a nephew of the VC. Refer to CV and Cost Implication attached. (Fijileaks: We couldn't get comments from Vinod Sami Narayan)
1. Vinod Sami Narayan (Executive Officer)
According to the investigation that we have carried out that Mr Vinod was appointed to the post of Executive Officer at the Vice Chancellor Office without going through the due process of recruitment. HR was not part of the interview process. Vinod was the only candidate interviewed by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Jack Maebuta and Executive Assistant of the VC despite a number of Solomon Islanders [having] applied for the post with qualification matched the job requirement. VC was also a referee to VINOD. VINOD was offered the post at Band 2.8 of the SINU salary structure which only fit for the local to be considered at the level. This is clearly abuse of power by the VC to bypass the mandated department to offer and recruit VINOD despite the VC is a referee and reated to VINOD when he was the VC of the FNU. Conflict of interest to say at least. This is a Band Two position that should be localized and priority should be given to qualified Solomon Islanders. We noted that the VC has the executive power under the SINU Act to recruit but shall be according to relevant policy direction. We also found that the candidate is a nephew of the VC. Refer to CV and Cost Implication attached. (Fijileaks: We couldn't get comments from Vinod Sami Narayan)
2. Maikali Tokaibureqa Naika (Internal Auditor)
In our Findings that the position was advertised by the SINU Human Resource Department and attracted 4 applications from qualified Solomon Islanders, and included Maikali. The VC had instructed the Acting Director Finance Minton Banisi and Director Planning to etsbalish a committee on 25th July 2019 to conduct an interview with Maikali.
Minton and Noelyn sensed that something was not right and went to see the Director HR. The Former Director (Riby Tupiti) of HR was shocked when she learned from Minto that the VC did not want the HR to be part of the interview of Maikali. For purposes of transparency, equal opportunity and consistency in recrutiments, DHr (Riby) recommended that process of proper screening of candidates must need to be followed through and screening be carried out by the committee and interviews done by the committee as well. This is where the VC got red-handed and agreed to include HR on yhte process.
An interview was conducted only for Maikali as instructed by the VC. On the same day, the VC approved the interview report and instructed the HR to send the offer letter to Maikali. The HR hesitated to send the offer and conducted a reference check [with] the Vice-Chancellor of FNU. [Nigel Healey].
Joerex emailed the FNU VC to get more detail of the suspected forgery letter submitted by Maikali with his application. Prop Nigel (VC of FNU) replied that the FNU reviewed the reference and cross checked with the FNU HR records. Prof Nigel regrets that the FNU cannot confirm the authenticity of the references sent by Maikali with his application. (Fijileaks: We will be publishing Professor Healey's reply to us in the next instalment). This is clearly a forgery case by Maikali on his part to produce false reference letter to HR. The VC was also a referee to Maikal's application and failed to consider the reference checked by HR. The DHR forwarded the reply by the FNU VC to the VC for his information and decision. Instead, the VC ignored and proceeded with instruction to HR to recruit and facilitate Maikali's travel arrangment to the Solomon Islands. Attached evidence of the reference letter and FNU reply to Joerex Raukaniu. Refers to Cv attached. This is clearly abuse of power, conflict of interest and negligence of HR process. See attached for cost implication and economic leakages.
In our Findings that the position was advertised by the SINU Human Resource Department and attracted 4 applications from qualified Solomon Islanders, and included Maikali. The VC had instructed the Acting Director Finance Minton Banisi and Director Planning to etsbalish a committee on 25th July 2019 to conduct an interview with Maikali.
Minton and Noelyn sensed that something was not right and went to see the Director HR. The Former Director (Riby Tupiti) of HR was shocked when she learned from Minto that the VC did not want the HR to be part of the interview of Maikali. For purposes of transparency, equal opportunity and consistency in recrutiments, DHr (Riby) recommended that process of proper screening of candidates must need to be followed through and screening be carried out by the committee and interviews done by the committee as well. This is where the VC got red-handed and agreed to include HR on yhte process.
An interview was conducted only for Maikali as instructed by the VC. On the same day, the VC approved the interview report and instructed the HR to send the offer letter to Maikali. The HR hesitated to send the offer and conducted a reference check [with] the Vice-Chancellor of FNU. [Nigel Healey].
Joerex emailed the FNU VC to get more detail of the suspected forgery letter submitted by Maikali with his application. Prop Nigel (VC of FNU) replied that the FNU reviewed the reference and cross checked with the FNU HR records. Prof Nigel regrets that the FNU cannot confirm the authenticity of the references sent by Maikali with his application. (Fijileaks: We will be publishing Professor Healey's reply to us in the next instalment). This is clearly a forgery case by Maikali on his part to produce false reference letter to HR. The VC was also a referee to Maikal's application and failed to consider the reference checked by HR. The DHR forwarded the reply by the FNU VC to the VC for his information and decision. Instead, the VC ignored and proceeded with instruction to HR to recruit and facilitate Maikali's travel arrangment to the Solomon Islands. Attached evidence of the reference letter and FNU reply to Joerex Raukaniu. Refers to Cv attached. This is clearly abuse of power, conflict of interest and negligence of HR process. See attached for cost implication and economic leakages.
"Advertisement of SINU vacancies in Fiji Times. Why use Fiji Times and none in the local newspapers. Use the University website for such advertisement. VC has personal interest in these procurements."
The Fiji Times, 5 July 2020:
Solomon Islands National University vice chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand has described allegations made against him as preposterous, malicious and defamatory.
Staff of SINU have written to the university council chair Dr Culwick Togamana, asking for Dr Chand’s removal as the vice-chancellor.
The Fiji Times asked Mr Chand, who is presently in Fiji, if there was any truth to the allegations.
“None whatsoever,” he said.
The SINU staff association have accused Mr Chand of financial mismanagement and abuse of procurement and recruitment processes.
He said he had been fighting corruption at the university since taking up office in March 2019.
“We have already started in this direction and dismissed staff found to be involved in such practices.
“We will continue to transform SINU into a clean, transparent, and credible university,” he said.
Mr Chand said he had not received any allegations made against him. He said he would operate the university “according to its laws and policies”.
Fijileaks: TO BE CONTINUED
Staff of SINU have written to the university council chair Dr Culwick Togamana, asking for Dr Chand’s removal as the vice-chancellor.
The Fiji Times asked Mr Chand, who is presently in Fiji, if there was any truth to the allegations.
“None whatsoever,” he said.
The SINU staff association have accused Mr Chand of financial mismanagement and abuse of procurement and recruitment processes.
He said he had been fighting corruption at the university since taking up office in March 2019.
“We have already started in this direction and dismissed staff found to be involved in such practices.
“We will continue to transform SINU into a clean, transparent, and credible university,” he said.
Mr Chand said he had not received any allegations made against him. He said he would operate the university “according to its laws and policies”.
Fijileaks: TO BE CONTINUED
IS THIS CHARACTER REFERENCE A FORGERY? Allegation: 'The VC [Ganesh Chand] was also a referee to Maikali's application and failed to consider the reference checked by HR."
