The council of the University of the South Pacific says it has not discussed the contract of Professor Pal Ahluwalia, and as a result, extended the appointment of Dr Giulio Tu’ikolongahau as acting vice-chancellor and president unit further notice.
In a statement following their meeting yesterday, the USP Council said it was awaiting recommendations from a sub-committee that it had established to look into the matter.
“The Council was not able to consider further the matter of the contract of Professor Pal Ahluwalia as the the Sub-Committee is yet to present its recommendations to the council,” the statement read.
The council also directed its secretary “to refer the allegations of breach of the USP Council Code of Conduct alongside with the written responses from the pro-chancellor and chair of the council and the chair of the audit & risk committee to the executive committee, in accordance with Article 6 of the USP Council Code of Conduct and allow the process thereunder to take its course. The recommendations to be provided to the council no later than 30 March 2021.”
This is the council’s second meeting in four days to discuss issues arising from Professor Pal’s deportation on 4 February 2021. Dr Giulio was appointed to the role in an acting capacity the following day.
