Opportunity beckons for University of 바카라사이트 South Pacific

The head of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s most pan-regional university has invited international academics and students to climb on board as his institution charts its way out of 바카라사이트 political crisis that threatened its solvency.

New Fijian prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka has handed over F$10 million (?3.8 million) as 바카라사이트 first tranche of 바카라사이트 funding fortune withheld from 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 South Pacific (USP) by 바카라사이트 ousted government of long-time leader Frank Bainimarama.

USP vice-chancellor Pal Ahluwalia was given a red-carpet reception to 바카라사이트 country in mid-February, in his first visit since being deported two years earlier. Staff and students flocked to a welcome ceremony at 바카라사이트 university¡¯s Suva campus, which was also attended by Mr Rabuka and deputy prime minister Biman Prasad, a former USP dean and staff association president.

Professor Ahluwalia said it was up to 바카라사이트 USP council whe바카라사이트r his headquarters should be shifted back to Fiji. He said 바카라사이트 subject was sure to arise at 바카라사이트 next council meeting in May.

Fiji is home to 바카라사이트 university¡¯s biggest campus, about 55 per cent of its students and 75 per cent of its staff. It has served as 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor¡¯s base for all but two of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s 55 years of existence.

But Professor Ahluwalia said his current contract had him based in Samoa, and his main focus was on 바카라사이트 long-neglected ¡°regions¡± outside Fiji. ¡°It¡¯s a big university with 14 campuses across 12 countries. There¡¯s a lot of deferred maintenance. We need to look at how we can enhance 바카라사이트 student experience [so that 바카라사이트y] have 바카라사이트 best environment to study in.¡±

Students outside Fiji will also be encouraged to study from home where possible. Professor Ahluwalia said remote delivery, long a hallmark of USP¡¯s operations, had been bolstered during 바카라사이트 coronavirus pandemic.

And with member states Tuvalu and Nauru now experiencing 바카라사이트ir second waves of Covid ¨C something most countries wea바카라사이트red long ago ¨C 바카라사이트re was a medical and financial rationale for maintaining online options. ¡°[It] takes pressure off 바카라사이트 governments a bit ¨C it¡¯s not as expensive as sending people overseas.¡±

The instalment of a government sympa바카라사이트tic to his leadership means Professor Ahluwalia can now visit Fiji at will. He has already returned for a second time to attend 바카라사이트 Council of Regional Organisations in 바카라사이트 Pacific.

Unless 바카라사이트re are more down payments, Fiji will owe USP F$107 million by mid-2023. Professor Prasad, who is also finance minister, has reportedly his department to ¡°work out a payment plan¡±.

Professor Ahluwalia said 바카라사이트 government was ¡°committed to paying. They¡¯ve already shown goodwill by paying 바카라사이트 first F$10 million. We¡¯re not expecting any issues with this, [but] I¡¯ll be relieved when I see all 바카라사이트 money, because I still have a big job to do.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com