Incoming USP vice-chancellor sets focus

USP will welcome its new VC and president Professor Pal Ahluwalia in November. Picture: www.pinterest.com

THE University of the South Pacific will continue to build on its reputation as a significant research institution that has the potential to change the lives of inhabitants in the region, says incoming USP vice-chancellor and president, Professor Pal Ahluwalia.

Prof Ahluwalia’s appointment to the top post was made during the University’s 86^th Council meeting in Nauru recently. He is expected to formally take up the post at USP in November, replacing outgoing VC and president, Professor Rajesh Chandra, whose term ends in December after serving a maximum 10 years.

Professor Pal Ahluwalia. Picture: SUPPLIED

“The groundwork has been laid through its Strategic Plan underpinned by the goal of moving from ‘good to excellent’,” he said in a statement today.

“USP has a real opportunity to become a truly world-class institution by building upon the promise of its mission and values. Its excellence must be celebrated and widely publicised so that it becomes the University of choice in the region.”

Currently the Pro VC for research and innovation at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, Prof Ahluwalia was selected after a rigorous and thorough selection process by the University’s joint committee of council and senate.

He was previously Pro VC and acting deputy VC academic at the University of South Australia. He has a PhD in politics from Flinders University and a Master and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.

In 2008, Professor Ahluwalia was appointed a UNESCO Chair in Transnational Diasporas and Reconciliation Studies.  In 2015, he was awarded the status of an eminent scholar by the International Studies Association.

“The opportunity to undertake the role of vice-chancellor and president at USP is enormously exciting as it is a position that would be a privilege and an honour to hold,” Prof Ahluwalia said.

“I am passionate about education in the broadest sense of the word and the potential that the role offers is one that I will relish.”

He said the fundamentals at USP as the premier regional university serving the Pacific Islands were in place with a sound financial foundation.

USP Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the Council, Winston Thompson, said the incoming VC showed a great understanding of USP, articulated a compelling vision for its future and emphasised the importance of advancing the interests of member nations.

“The new vice-chancellor brings to USP credentials and experience, which would make him a strong applicant for a vice-chancellor’s position anywhere in the world,” Mr Thompson said.

Prof Ahluwalia has extensive experience in providing strategic leadership and management

Meanwhile, Prof Chandra welcomed the appointment of his successor.

He said Prof Ahluwalia’s extensive international career of achievement in higher education with pervasive experience as an academic made him an outstanding candidate to lead USP especially as the University looked forward to greater achievements in higher education in the Pacific region.

“I am sure that the University community will provide Professor Ahluwalia with their utmost support and partnership to enable the University to successfully deliver it new Strategic Plan 2019-2024,” Prof Chandra said.

Report by WANSOLWARA STAFF