Staff and students of The University of the South Pacific had the opportunity to share their concerns with the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, in a virtual open forum held on 23 and 24 June 2022.
The student forum saw students connecting from USP campuses in Fiji and across the Pacific while the staff forum allowed staff to ask questions to The Senior Management Team (SMT) and be updated on the university’s strategic direction and positive outlook.
Both sessions proved successful as many students and staff made time from their schedules to be part of the Forum, which was the first organised since the COVID-19 pandemic to foster healthy work culture and encourage communication and interactions.
During the Forums, Professor Ahluwalia emphasised that USP would continue to provide the best student experience and learning outcomes.
He reiterated, “Our focus is on ensuring that students receive the best education possible. Our next phase of operations is about improving our student services, ensuring a one-stop-shop approach to students.”
“Our team has worked incredibly hard, and we’re also proud of how our students have succeeded in their studies despite the pandemic through online learning.”
“Through the staff union, the SMT has ensured that staff are protected and present when major decisions are made. I’m really pleased that you’ve all worked hard to provide the best education possible for our students,” Professor Pal told the staff.
In the future, the Vice Chancellor’s Office plans to organise student and staff forums each semester to provide more opportunities for engagement and to build a sense of community between the students, staff and the senior management team of the University.
