 |  Lawyer John Apted |
The Reconvened Special Council Meeting of 5th February was held today, 16 February 2021
On the Agenda were two issues:
(i) Breach of the Code of Conduct by the Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson and Chair Audit and Risk Committee and
(ii) The Contract of VC/P Professor Pal Ahluwalia in relation to his work permit and deportation issue.
Whilst the issue of the contract of the VC/P Professor Pal Ahluwalia was not raised for discussion as the Sub-Committee of Council is yet to meet, the Union raises its concerns with regard to statements made by the Fiji Attorney-General in Parliament on Friday 12 February 2021 in relation to Mr.[John] Apted of Munro Leys and the Fiji Government on Professor Pal’s deportation. In his capacity as the USP Lawyer he (Mr Apted) has given advice to the USP on the same and other issues in relation to the VC/P position. The Unions therefore demand that the Sub-Committee obtains a second independent legal opinion and to present these two opinions to the Council.
The decision by the Council is that The Council directs the Secretary of the Council to refer the allegations of the breach of the code of conduct along with the written responses from the Pro Chancellor and the Chair of ARC to the Executive Committee, in accordance with Article 6 of the Code of Conduct and allow the process thereunder to take its course. The Committee is to present the recommendations to Council no later than 30th March.
Good governance has underpinned the Unions, students and staff approach to all matters relating to the University and the Vice-Chancellor and has taken guidance from the supreme governing body of the USP – its Council. The Council decision is respected but the irony of that decision is that whilst the Fiji Government argues its position on the breaches of conduct on the grounds of `due process’ it failed to live by that principle in lead up to the deportation of Professor Pal and his wife; behaving like `a thief in the night.’
The USP Council as Professor Pal’s employer has not revoked his contract and therefore, in justice and fairness, we are informed that the Council has agreed that Professor Pal will continue to receive his salary and full benefits of the position including re-instatement of his official email, until a final decision is taken on the matter.
With over 500 print and 5,000 plus online petition signatures from students, staff and alumni in support of good governance and Professor Pal that increases daily and the unity via `colour’ dress code , we continue to do what is right for our regional institution, The University of the South Pacific.
On the Agenda were two issues:
(i) Breach of the Code of Conduct by the Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson and Chair Audit and Risk Committee and
(ii) The Contract of VC/P Professor Pal Ahluwalia in relation to his work permit and deportation issue.
Whilst the issue of the contract of the VC/P Professor Pal Ahluwalia was not raised for discussion as the Sub-Committee of Council is yet to meet, the Union raises its concerns with regard to statements made by the Fiji Attorney-General in Parliament on Friday 12 February 2021 in relation to Mr.[John] Apted of Munro Leys and the Fiji Government on Professor Pal’s deportation. In his capacity as the USP Lawyer he (Mr Apted) has given advice to the USP on the same and other issues in relation to the VC/P position. The Unions therefore demand that the Sub-Committee obtains a second independent legal opinion and to present these two opinions to the Council.
The decision by the Council is that The Council directs the Secretary of the Council to refer the allegations of the breach of the code of conduct along with the written responses from the Pro Chancellor and the Chair of ARC to the Executive Committee, in accordance with Article 6 of the Code of Conduct and allow the process thereunder to take its course. The Committee is to present the recommendations to Council no later than 30th March.
Good governance has underpinned the Unions, students and staff approach to all matters relating to the University and the Vice-Chancellor and has taken guidance from the supreme governing body of the USP – its Council. The Council decision is respected but the irony of that decision is that whilst the Fiji Government argues its position on the breaches of conduct on the grounds of `due process’ it failed to live by that principle in lead up to the deportation of Professor Pal and his wife; behaving like `a thief in the night.’
The USP Council as Professor Pal’s employer has not revoked his contract and therefore, in justice and fairness, we are informed that the Council has agreed that Professor Pal will continue to receive his salary and full benefits of the position including re-instatement of his official email, until a final decision is taken on the matter.
With over 500 print and 5,000 plus online petition signatures from students, staff and alumni in support of good governance and Professor Pal that increases daily and the unity via `colour’ dress code , we continue to do what is right for our regional institution, The University of the South Pacific.
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