University responds to allegations
There is a clear demarcation of duties and responsibilities of the Head of School and Campus Director at the University of the South Pacific Alafua Campus.
This is according to Campus Director and Head of School Professor Mohammaed Umar, who took over as Head of School in 2012 and the role of Campus Director in 2018.
Prof. Umar was responding to allegations raised by an alumnus in a Letter the Editor, one being the prolonged recruitment of a pro-vice chancellor resulting in conflicts and lack of progress, which affect students.
“Both positions report to the main Campus in Laucala,” he said.
“Head of School reports to the Dean - Faculty of Business and Economics and the Campus Director reports to the Vice President - Regional Campuses, Estate and Infrastructure.
“From January 2018, the two positions have been held by one person so there is no conflict of interest. Since the merge of the two positions, there has been dramatic improvement.”
The position of pro-vice chancellor for the Alafua campus has been vacant for three years and each year, the university has been advertising for a suitable candidate.
“I am not involved in the selection process; otherwise it would be a conflict of interest. The selection is done in Suva, Fiji, where candidates are screened and interviewed, but they have not found any suitable candidate. I don’t know what goes on.”