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COVID-19: Private sector sees a way forward on trade, tourism

Picture: WANSOLWARA BY BEN BILUA The value of immediate implementation of tourism or travel ‘bubbles’ has been challenged by experts saying that it is too early to open the borders as the risk of COVID-19 remains high. In a meeting with journalists earlier this month, chief executive officer of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Chris Cocker, said the risk of COVID-19 was still high in the Pacific with level of health preparedness still below what was needed. SPTO head Chris Cocker. Picture: ttf.org.au “For example, the lack of ventilators in our countries and the testing capabilities in our islands. We…

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New case takes coronavirus tally to 19

Picture: redlabs.be By JOSEFA BABITU Fiji has recorded yet another case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) after a 66-year-old man arrived into the country from India on July 1 presenting symptoms of the virus. The latest case takes the total number of confirmed cases to 19. So far 18 patients of COVID-19 have recovered with zero new cases over the past 31 days until now. In a statement, Acting Permanent Secretary for the Health Ministry Dr James Fong said the patient and his son were returning from a medical procedure in India with 107 other travellers. He said health officials…

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Jarvis: Vigorous COVID-19 testing can resuscitate tourism in the Pacific

Source: Jarun Ontakrai / Shutterstock By BEN BILUA Australia’s Trade and Investment Commissioner Caleb Jarvis says tourism industry in the Pacific can resuscitate if respective countries improve coronavirus (COVID-19) testing mechanisms. Speaking to journalists this week, Mr Jarvis said COVID-19 testing was an important component of reopening the boarders under the Pacific Bubble initiative. Jarvis: Picture: Pacifictradeinvest.com He said the resumption of air travel through the trans-Pacific Bubble was critical for the tourism industry. "But equally important is to know the level of information with regards to the presence of COVID-19 in country of destination," he said. Mr Jarvis said…

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USP Council lifts suspension of academic chief

Flags of USP's 12-member countries fly high outside the USPSA Federal Office at Laucala campus. The student body had taken the flags down when the VCP was suspended on June 8. The flags were raised this morning to support good governance at USP. Picture: USPSA/SUPPLIED By WANSOLWARA STAFF The suspension of University of the South Pacific's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, has been lifted by the USP Council following a seven-hour virtual meeting today. The institution's highest decision-making body convened a virtual special council meeting to determine whether the Executive Committee’s (EC) recent decision to suspend Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia…

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$37k grant to boost training for women entrepreneurs

From left: WEBC chairwoman Eseta Nadakuitavuki, US Embassador to Fiji Joseph Cella and Makoi Vocational Centre manager Shazna Khan after signing the grant agreement at the embassy in Suva today. Picture: WANSOLWARA By WANSOLWARA STAFF The Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC) received a timely grant of $US17,360 ($F37,640) from the US Embassy Suva today to run the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) for as many as 90 Fijian women entrepreneurs. The grant would enable the academy to guide women business owners through training programmes that were Fiji-focused and vital for their upskilling in areas of entrepreneurship and business management. US…

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Fiji police question USP staff, probes gathering on campus

USP Laucala campus students rally for good governance. Picture: USPSA By WANSOLWARA STAFF TWO staff members at The University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus were called in, apparently for questioning, by officers from the Fiji Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Suva today. According to FBC News, police had started an investigation into the public gathering of USP staff and students with Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho stating they were looking at possible breaches of COVID-19 restrictions. Officers from the Fiji Police Force were also monitoring solidarity movements at USP’s Laucala campus over the past week where concerned…

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Date set for USP Council meeting, validity of VC’s suspension on agenda

Students from USP's Marshall Islands campus stand their ground for good governance to prevail. Picture: PYLOTs/USPSA By GERALDINE PANAPASA and JARED KOLI THE University of the South Pacific Council is expected to conduct a virtual meeting on Friday to determine whether the Executive Committee’s recent decision to suspend Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia was valid. And according to USP’s incoming Chancellor Lionel Aingimea, the Council would also determine whether the suspension would be overturned. Mr Aingimea had earlier indicated a Council meeting be held tomorrow, however, a statement released today and addressed to Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson set the highly-anticipated gathering for later…

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Mounting pressure to resolve impasse at USP

USP students in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Picture: USPSA/SUPPLIED By WANSOLWARA STAFF Pacific leaders are echoing strong calls for USP Council members to work together to resolve the ongoing challenges currently faced by the region’s premier educational institution. The call by Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano comes in the wake of mounting pressure from staff, students and stakeholders for good governance to prevail after the Executive Committee (EC) of the Council suspended Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia on Monday for alleged material misconduct, pending an investigation. The decision by the EC resulted in numerous demonstrations this week by concerned staff and students…

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Thompson maintains stance on suspension of USP’s VC

USP staff and students gather outside the New Administration Conference Room to show support for suspended VC Professor Pal Ahluwalia. Picture: Eliki Drugunalevu By WANSOLWARA STAFF The decision to suspend the academic chief of The University of the South Pacific pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of material misconduct was made legally by the University’s executive committee, says Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson. Mr Thompson was responding to claims from concerned staff, students and some council members that the suspension of Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia on Monday was illegitimate. During a press conference at USP’s Research Office at Laucala campus…

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Urgent call for USP Council to step in, reverse VC suspension

USP's suspended VC and President Prof Pal Ahluwalia speaks to staff and students rallying outside the Administration Block on Monday. He was subsequently suspended by the Executive Committee of the USP Council yesterday following allegations of material misconduct. Picture: SUPPLIED/USPSA By WANSOLWARA STAFF Nauru’s President Lionel Aingimea has called for a special council meeting to urgently reverse what he claims was an illegitimate decision to suspend The University of the South Pacific’s vice-chancellor this week, a move be believes has now jeopardized the future of the institution. In a letter to USP Council members, Mr Aingimea expressed his disappointment at…

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