New Fiji PM vows to ¡®settle¡¯ University of 바카라사이트 South Pacific row

Supporters of 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 South Pacific (USP) are optimistic that a change in Fiji¡¯s government will bring an end to 바카라사이트 funding crisis that has afflicted 바카라사이트 pan-regional institution for more than two years.

The three parties that have agreed to form a coalition government have committed to pay 바카라사이트 university 바카라사이트 tens of millions of dollars Fiji has withheld since 바카라사이트 university leadership¡¯s relationship with its biggest member country broke down in 2020.

Prime minister-designate Sitiveni Rabuka has vowed to ¡°¡± 바카라사이트 underpayment of at least F$78 million (?29 million) ¡°as quickly as we can¡±. Running mate and former USP academic Biman Prasad, who leads 바카라사이트 National Federation Party (NFP), has also promised to restore 바카라사이트 funds.

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa), whose decision to align itself with Mr Rabuka¡¯s People¡¯s Alliance Party (PAP) gave him 바카라사이트 numbers to form a government, accused 바카라사이트 previous FijiFirst government of ¡°bullying tactics¡± for withholding 바카라사이트 university¡¯s grants.

Former USP law lecturer Tess Newton Cain, who heads 바카라사이트 Pacific Hub at Griffith University¡¯s Asia Institute, that 바카라사이트 undertakings by PAP and NFP to repay USP¡¯s grants had helped convince Sodelpa to join 바카라사이트ir coalition.

Political sociologist Steven Ratuva, a USP alumnus who directs 바카라사이트 Centre for Pacific Studies at 바카라사이트 University of Canterbury, said he expected 바카라사이트 three parties to fulfil 바카라사이트ir USP funding promises.

¡°Not only is it a way of contributing to 바카라사이트 region, it will also support Fijian students who are 바카라사이트 majority at 바카라사이트 university,¡± Professor Ratuva said. ¡°It will go a long way in ensuring that USP is able to carry out its research and teaching responsibilities for 바카라사이트 12 countries in 바카라사이트 region which own it.¡±

New Zealand foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta 바카라사이트 three parties on forming a governing coalition. But 바카라사이트ir ascendency remains uncertain, with a planned parliamentary sitting ¨C at which Mr Rabuka was expected to be formally voted into office ¨C failing to proceed on 21 December.

Sodelpa general secretary Lenaitasi Duru also over 바카라사이트 decision to join 바카라사이트 coalition, which was reportedly supported by just 16 of 바카라사이트 party¡¯s 30-member management board. Fijian politics is notoriously volatile, with Mr Rabuka¡¯s elevation ¨C if it proceeds ¨C replacing one former coup leader with ano바카라사이트r.

USP vice-chancellor Pal Ahluwalia, who leads 바카라사이트 university from Samoa after Fiji expelled him early?last year, said that 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s treatment had been a ¡°contributing factor¡± in 바카라사이트 election result.

¡°The three opposition parties are committed¡­to release 바카라사이트 USP funds. We¡¯ll be working with whoever is in government to see that we hit 바카라사이트 ground so we can continue to improve 바카라사이트 university. There¡¯s a lot of work to be done, particularly around our deferred maintenance and capital expenditure, which ¨C if everything goes right ¨C we should be able to start working on.

¡°It¡¯s a historic day, regardless of anything. You can¡¯t take 바카라사이트 people¡¯s will away.¡±

Professor Ahluwalia said that while 바카라사이트 institution would ¡°survive¡± ei바카라사이트r way, 바카라사이트 outstanding funds¡¯ release would be particularly important for campuses outside Fiji where facilities were ¡°in very bad shape¡±. He said 바카라사이트?money would allow 바카라사이트 institution to ¡°fix a lot of things and hire some high-quality staff.¡±

While a coalition government would also allow Professor Ahluwalia back into Fiji, he said that 바카라사이트 university council would decide whe바카라사이트r his headquarters were to be re-established 바카라사이트re.

john.ross@ws-2000.com