Dear Editor,

Members of the USP staff unions, students and alumni do not support Hon. Biman Prasad’s attendance at the USP Council meeting. The appropriate Minister should be the Minister of Education, Aseri Radrodro.

Hon. Radrodro has attended previous councils and demonstrated a good grasp of the evolving situation at USP. His most recent contribution at the Rarotongan Council in November 2024 was well received by ministerial colleagues.  Prasad did not attend this meeting.

The USP council will be aware that USP is going through a very difficult leadership crisis. The current USP VCP Professor Pal Ahluwalia has unfortunately turned out to be a divisive and demoralising head of the regional institution, lacking in vision, statecraft and undermining of staff of regional member countries. He has a close personal relationship with the DPM Prasad.

We have confirmed reports that over the past week, he and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Gurmeet Singh have been meeting with Dr Ahluwalia at the VCP’s residence in Laucala campus, a clear case of collusion.

Despite concerns of staff, students and alumni as conveyed to the Prime Minister of Fiji, Professor Biman Prasad insists on attending the USP Council meeting.

This is a clear case of conflict of interest, and his presence in Auckland is an unnecessary cost to the cash-strapped University as the Minister of Education is attending as the official council-designated government representative and lead delegate for Fiji.