WEB er LIES: USP ex-Head of Journalism on study leave refutes Weber! Shailendra Singh puts the record straight of his decision to finish PhD

23/2/2014

Shailendra Singh

By SHAILENDRA SINGH

Allegation One:
Shailendra Singh decided just 2 weeks before semester to apply for 6 months more leave to complete his PhD:

This is incorrect. I applied for an extension on January 16, 2014, a month before classes started on February 17. At the Dean's request, I nominated a competent former local journalist with the requisite qualifications to fill in for me. If, after this ample notice, there was still no suitable appointment made, it is a matter for the Journalism Program and the School to sort out.

There were no anomalies with my study leave extension application, as insinuated. Universities routinely grant such requests. USP HR prioritised the completion of my PhD over short-term teaching commitments that could be filled by relief staff. For USP, regional staff attaining PhDs is crucial for staff development and program sustainability.

Anyone in a leadership position at USP should have the foresight to understand this strategy, which aims to build regional capacity. It is regrettable that Dr Weber, as the head of journalism, did not support this fundamental institutional vision in which USP invests considerable time and money.

By the same token, why, remove all local teaching staff, such as Irene Manueli, at such a crucial time? Is eroding the local base we tried to establish the proper way to 'rebuild' the program?

Dr Weber states that the extension of my study leave was the 'main cause' of his concern. In the same breath, he states: 'I have no issues with that application'. He displays similar insincerity when he prattles on about 'duty of care' to students and 'ethics', even after abandoning his post at the most critical time – at the start of the semester.

Allegation Two:
Favouritism was prevalent under Shailendra Singh's watch as the programme's head in the granting of waivers.

This is also untrue. As head of journalism, Dr Weber should have read the USP Calendar. Course coordinators have the discretionary authority to grant waivers on a case-by-case basis in accordance with laid down procedures. This includes cross-credits granted to selected industry people undertaking the program.

It's clear from Dr Weber's own account that he lost control of the program. It is not my fault if the journalism program became emasculated during my absence.

Contrary to insinuations, USP Journalism was at one time quite stable, sustainable, and functional. Despite resource constraints, we tackled many contingencies without complaining, blaming others, or bringing the program to its knees. (The recent death of Wansolwara is truly tragic). If USP Journalism has never been in such a bad shape as it is now, then surely some of the problems are self-inflicted?

These are my views, and not necessarily the views of my employer, USP. "

"The main cause of my concern emerged when the former head of the department Shailendra Singh decided just 2 weeks before semester to apply (and be granted) 6 months more leave to complete his PhD. I have no issues with that application, but he had stated that he would return and all planning for the department for the semester was based on that. Without any consultation with the department as to how we would cope with this sudden about face, he was granted leave under the direction of HR." Dr Ian Webber

READ Webber's claims:
STOP PRESS: Dr Weber heads out revolving door at USP Journalism, citing favouritism, lack of consultation, unethical pressure on him - his former predecessor Shailendra Singh in line of fire over study leave!

Online Editor Biu Kacimaiwai, Ian Weber and Nazaht Shameem at the launch of the revamped wansolwara.org

Lamentable death of USP student paper: "The recent death of Wansolwara is truly tragic."

Dr Marc Edge (left) and Professor David Robie (right) with the USP's Irene Manueli sandwiched in the middle ..."Why, remove all local teaching staff, such as Irene Manueli, at such a crucial time? "

Click below to read David Robie:
'Scapegoat Season’ at USP fails to hide achievements

14 Comments

Journalism Student

23/2/2014 10:28:48 am

Vinaka Victor Lal for putting the record straight via our much liked Shailendra Singh. We look forward to having our "Dr" back in the future. Yes, power to the locals!

Journalism Student Two

23/2/2014 10:34:29 am

Dina!

We hope Victor you will come down one day to our Department as Visiting Lecturer to teach us the art of investigative journalism!

The USP Journalism Horror Show

23/2/2014 01:55:46 pm

I have been following the USP journalism horror story on facebook and fijileaks. Big questions: why was money for the broadcasting lecturer taken away from budget? Why was someone unqualified for teaching journalism appointed? Who is responsible? How did USP allow this? Dr Ian Weber is blaming Sudesh Mishra.

It seems Sudesh Mishra making mockery of journalism. Did Sudesh Mishra take money away and re-direct to his own pet project as alleged on FaceBook? what kind head of school expects staff to teach 5 courses? Is this good practice? Is this normal practice at USP? USP should answer.

What kind of head of school short-change his own journalism student in such a way? what kind of head of school deny students a lecturer in broadcasting? Is this what USP means by commitment to students and quality teaching? Is this example of how premier tertiary institute in the region treats students?

did sudesh give job to his friend who is not qualified in journalism? Is this example of nepotism at premier tertiary institute in the region? To us observers its clear from what we have read so far is that Sudesh Mishra is making mischeif.

It seems he working against interest of journalism students, journalism staff and journalism program. Is he using journalism funds for himself. USP has to come clear on where funds diverted to. whose interest is sudesh working in? His own interest and his friend's interest?

It seems recent allegations against corruption and nepotism at USP are really true. There is something rotten and stinky at USP. Ian Weber, Marc Edge and Shailen Singh and students are victims. I do not blame Ian Weber for leaving.

bazaar

23/2/2014 04:34:09 pm

Fiji leaks I have always been a huge fan. Can you do us a favour and look into rumors of Ian Weber sleeping with a student?

Former Journalism Student

23/2/2014 10:25:25 pm

I remember when the Wansolwara was a semesterly paper. Granted, it was not released as often as the more recent monthly, but it was a LOT more fulfilling to read.

There were more stories, hence a thick paper that actually won awards. (That's right, the paper that came out only twice a Year has a better track record than the one that is released 3 Times that amount)

Many students at the University don't even READ their own newspaper now, and if one goes around asking them why. Most of them gave similar answers.

1. There was a lack of stories in the paper to grab their attention.
2. The paper was too small with barely 10-15 pages altogether (according to them)
3. They weren't even aware we had a newspaper, yet they know we have a Radio station.

Moral here: Quality beats Quantity any day.

It's no wonder the newspaper is in jeopardy.

This coupled together with the departure of Nash Sorariba, who was a great advocate of USPs Journalism program, only to be betrayed by the one institute he stood by for years, together with Shailendra Singh is just further proof that USP Journalism needs to take a Very hard look at itself.

I would very much like to see a GOOD Wansolwara paper in the near future, with names like Nash and Singh attached to it.

It doesn't have to be a monthly. Instead of giving us 2 - 3 crap papers that no one cares about, give us one GREAT paper that will get people talking and bring the awards back.

Observer

25/2/2014 12:01:57 am

"USP Journalism has never been in such a bad shape as it is now." If true, it's very damning on Ian Weber and Sudesh Mishra.

Lolly

25/2/2014 04:18:51 am

Ian was always there for money. When he couldn't get enough he disappeared. Sudesh is a nobody who has never done any good anywhere. Rumor is he has made mess everywhere he was. He has fought with everyone he was. So the mess he makes at usp is not new. Yet usp keeps him even after numerous cases against him. Wonder what hold he has over the vc that he is never disciplined.

JNStudent

25/2/2014 03:48:40 pm

Its a great thing for USP that Ian Weber has FINALLY left. He - if I don't say so myself was the one person who brought the the entire programme to the ground. Reflecting no professionalism whatsoever and openly passing degrading comments about teaching assistant Irene Manueli (who by the way was the heart of Wansolwara) to students saying such things as "don't ask her for anything she has no qualification" on top of that he put unnecessay stress on students causing the newspaper to FAIL. Think about it- the paper has been running successfully until HE came.

puzzled

26/2/2014 04:44:37 pm

@ Jn student

Why did he say Manueli had no qualifications to be answering questions to journo degree students? I thought she was already lecturing them?

Lolly16

26/2/2014 06:45:48 pm

Isn't it obvious.irene is a Pacific Islander so people like I an and Sudesh will never appreciate or acknowledge that.had it been incompetent whites like those in that all white superior school, it would be ok.

puzzled

27/2/2014 12:52:34 am

@ Lolly

Now i'm even more puzzled! You not making sense at all. Are u saying Lolly that there are NO Pacific islanders working there as teachers n lecturers?

Lolly

27/2/2014 12:20:20 pm

From what I can read from all blogs on this issue, it seems there are but all are disrespected,harassed and bullied by the hos. They have no where else to go so suffer in silence.The same isn't the case for white ones that Sudesh has brought there. The white ones soon leave after making a mess.

puzzled

27/2/2014 03:20:35 pm

Lolly

The straws are slipping... If you're alleging racism, then get to specifics instead of trying to sell the audience those pathetically unconvincing, flimsy excuses that does no one any favours least of all those u're referring to.

The Sardhar of USP

27/2/2014 07:00:20 pm

Well, Sudesh Mishra has beome legendary in our school and at USP for his largess towards white academics. He is the Sardhar of USP. The good professor has successfully re-colonised the school of literature and language.

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