The President of Nauru and incoming Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Lionel Aingimea said this week that the institution has been hijacked after Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia was stood down earlier this week pending an investigation on allegations of material misconduct.

Mr Aingimea on 9 June stated that the decision is “a sad day in the history of this esteemed institution”.

“The very individuals responsible for carrying out good governance have failed this great university.”

Mr Aingimea will immediately seek the support of Council colleagues to call a special Council meeting as a matter of urgency.

“The disciplinary ordinance for dealing with the Vice Chancellor has been violated. There are processes and procedures which dictate how such matters should be dealt with but these have simply been ignored,” he said. “Due process requires that any investigation or action against the Vice Chancellor must be sanctioned by Council when the allegations have been brought to its attention.”

“This did not happen and we are in this current crisis because of failed governance.”

President Aingimea, who is a Council member and USP alumnus, is due to take up his post on July 1.

He said USP is a regional university owned by 12 member countries and must remain so. 

“The region must not allow USP to become another national university. All member countries must have a say in its future.”