The search by the University of the South Pacific (U.S.P.) for a permanent Alufa Campus director is ongoing, says incumbent Dr. Joeli Veitayaki.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Dr. Veitayaki said since the recruitment drive commenced towards the end of last year, they are expecting an announcement soon on a new appointee. 

“My hope is that they can get somebody good to return Alafua to where it should be – the demonstrating center for Pacific agriculture – and the kind of direction agriculture in the Pacific should be taking,” he said.

“So that basically is what I hope would happen, and agriculture is so important to us in the region as now we have to deal with issues of increasing of the concentration of our people in urban areas who need to be fed by the farmers then there is the issue of climate change and pollution.”

Dr. Veitayaki was appointed to the role by the University in June last year, succeeding Mohammed Umar, who was a subject of investigation over alleged “financial irregularities”.

Advertisements for the director's role at the Alafua Campus closed weeks before Dr. Veitayaki heard about the vacancy, this newspaper was told.

He said he had only found out about it in the Fiji Times newspaper he found in the Campus library and the application submissions had closed already.

“I was surprised because nobody told me anything I went to the library and Fiji Times gets into the library here I think weeks late and of course I only go to read when I find the time,” he said.

Asked if he would have applied for the position he said, “no”.             

“Apparently I do not qualify because they are seeking for a deputy vice chancellor level and the person they are looking for is to have a background in agriculture,” he added.