Page 18 - IB July 2018

Politics Five Decades of USP’s

Out in the cold investigating the Governance & Leadership

possibility of rec-
lamation, build-
ing sea walls and
The University of the South Pacific (USP) is the
Kiribati stops climate change researcher raising the levels premier institution of higher learning for the Pacific,
of the atolls above
uniquely placed in a region of extraordinary physical,
the current 2 me-
tres above sea social and economic diversity and challenges to serve
the region’s need for high quality tertiary education,
PCC researcher Teploa Rabuli level.Mamau has research and policy apart from being a tertiary
Fact file a 20-year plan to institution. It also serves as an organisation of regional
cooperation and integration.
KUC makes up 36 per cent of Kiribati build up Kiribati, It is jointly owned and governed by twelve (12)
Christians develop its resilience and increase the Member Countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati,
capacity of her people.
Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon
Formed by the American Board of Commis- At the heart of this ambitious journey Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The
By Netani Rika sioners for Foreign Missions (1857) and appears to be an attempt to attract foreign University has campuses in all Member Countries, with
Fiji having three (3) Campuses.
London Missionary Society (1870) investors to develop eco-friendly boutique The main Campus and headquarters is at Laucala,
KIRIBATI has taken the unprecedented The first i-Kiribati pastors were trained at resorts that would promote world-class in Fiji. The Alafua Campus in Samoa is where the
step of stopping a Pacific climate change Rongorongo on Ber Atoll diving, fishing and surfing experiences on School of Agriculture and Food Technology is situated,
and the Emalus Campus in Vanuatu is the location for
researcher from visiting communities on In 1968 the local church was named the currently uninhabited islands. the School of Law. The Academic and Administrative Staff of USP in 1968.
the front line of coastal erosion. Gilbert Islands Protestant Church Any suggestion of relocation to land The Royal Charter and Statutes form the overriding Students Association, and there is provision for
Teploa Rabuli who works for the Pacific The name changed at independence in 1979 purchased by his predecessor, Anote Tong, governance instruments of the University. It is governed Council and governments of the region. The Council a third [Statute 11 (l) (c) (iii)]. The Interim Council
also sought the views of the staff of the University.
Conference of Churches head office in Fiji may act as a disincentive for the inves- by its own Council, which includes representatives of The drafting of the Charter was undertaken by Dr. did not agree to student representation on Senate,
the Member Country Governments, staff and student
was placed under house arrest at Antebu- The KUC has 209 pastors tors Mamau wishes to attract. Especially representatives, and community and business leaders, Colin Aikman, the first Vice-Chancellor of USP, with however, the Council, during its meeting in 1971
provided for this representation of one (1) student
ka last month before being forced to leave when the Kiribati government claims in a the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Australia the assistance of New Zealand University Grants from each of the three (3) Schools (now Faculties)
the country on the first available flight. promotional video that it wants to develop and New Zealand. Committee. [Statute (1) 9c) (ii)]
The final draft of the Charter and accompanying
The Council and the Senate are served by a network
Rabuli had spent one day at Uenten- “Only when we hear their voices can the rapidly sinking republic into the Dubai of standing committees as well as Joint Committees of documents were approved by Her Majesty Queen • Since it was quite challenging to bring together
tong, North Tarawa and Salt Lake, Betio, we design programmes which have a real of the Pacific. the Council and Senate in key areas. Elizabeth II, on the advice of her Privy Council, on 4 a large Council that included representatives
from inside and outside the region, the Council
speaking to women about the impacts of impact on their lives.” Tong bought 6000 acres of land from The ceremonial head of the University is the February 1970 and received the Royal Assent on 10 is given wider powers of delegation. An Executive
climate change. In all likelihood, however, the expulsion the Anglican Church at Naviavia in the Chancellor. USP’s Chancellors are normally Heads of February, the same year. Committee of Council, with regional representation,
This was followed by a unique occasion in the
The following day immigration officers was more likely connected to differences north of Fiji as a last resort for i-Kiribati States. The Pro-Chancellor is Chair of Council, and the University’s calendar, the personal presentation of the was established. The Council can delegate any of its
Executive Head of the University is the Vice-Chancellor
arrived at Rabuli’s accommodation which within the church community and among should they be forced to abandon their and President. Charter by the Queen herself during a ceremony at the powers to this Committee or to any other committee
(Statute 14).
had been provided by the Kiribati United politicians. fragile home. Laucala Campus on 5 March 1970.
Church, seized her research materials and The Kiribati United Church has been “It is there as a measure of security,” THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL & Ms. Masiofo Fetauimalemau Mata’afa of Western THE CHARTER AND
forbade the researcher from leaving the torn apart by bitter infighting due to a Tong said in an interview with Islands Samoa (now Samoa), the first Pro-Chancellor of USP
received and acknowledged the Charter.
premises. name change approved at its conference Business in Tuvalu. SENATE The Charter and Statutes follow English and New STATUTES
Five days later she was escorted to at Arorae in 2014. Known as the Kiribati “We don’t want to leave but it is prudent The Council is the governing body of the University. It Zealand precedents. The Chancellor is, in accordance The Charter of the University (the Charter)
Bonriki International Airport and placed Protestant Church since 1979, the name to make sure that if relocation becomes in- exercises all powers conferred on the University by the with English practice, a “titular head of the University”, established the University. The primary purpose of the
University is to maintain, advance and disseminate
Charter, subject to the powers, duties and functions
on a flight to Fiji. was changed to reflect the inclusion of An- evitable then the people of Kiribati should conferred upon it by the Statutes. It has general which is an honorific status. knowledge through programmes of study according
Chairmanship of the Council is the responsibility
The results of the research – also being glicans, Evangelicals and Presbyterians. be able to leave with dignity – not as refu- control over the conduct of the affairs of the University. of the Pro-Chancellor, who is elected by the Council to the well-being and needs of the Pacific. The Charter
conducted in Solomon Islands, Kiribati A group of objectors within the church gees or as second class global citizens.” It also has the custody of the Common Seal and is and holds office for a term of three (3) years which is lists twenty-six (26) powers of the University including
responsible for the management and administration
the power to provide programmes of study, to grant
and Fiji - would help Pacific governments insisted on the retention of the Protestant Tong would not be drawn into discus- of the revenue and property of USP. renewable. The Chancellor holds office for a term of awards for completion of programmes of study, to
design community-based approaches to label and split from the 40,000-strong or- sion on Mamau’s plans and how they dif- The Council can add to, amend or repeal the one year (Articles 5 & 6 and Part 3). prescribe fees, to raise funds for the University, to
The Schedule to the Charter named His Majesty King
the effects of climate change. ganisation in a move which is now before fer from his. It is obvious that differences provisions of the Statutes by a Special Resolution as Taufa’ahau Tupou IV of Tonga as the first Chancellor. invest and act as a trustee for the University, and to do
all such acts to further the objectives of the University.
The official reason for Rabuli’s expul- the courts. Insiders suggest that members exist and while government policy may long as such changes are not repugnant to the Charter. The Charter makes the University responsible for: The Charter creates the offices of the University
sion was outlined in a letter from the of one of the church factions complained be migration as a last resort, the ordinary Any changes to the Charter will need to go to the Privy “The maintenance, advancement and dissemination including the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-
Council for approval with final assent by Her Majesty.
Kiribati government which stated that to immigration officials about the research people do not necessarily agree on this The Council makes Ordinances to direct and regulate of knowledge by teaching, consultancy and research Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors and other
officers as appropriate.
she had breached the terms of her visa activities. approach. the University and its authorities and members. and otherwise, for the provision at appropriate levels Furthermore, the Charter established the Council
The Council meets twice a year normally in May and
by visiting the community. But Rabuli While that is a plausible explanation, Some who spoke to researchers claimed November, with the Executive Committee meeting at of education and training responsive to the well-being of the University to exercise general control over the
and needs of the communities of the South Pacific.”
was in the country at the invitation of there is also the more likely political reason they would move to Australia or New least four (4) times a year to facilitate the oversight Some provisions in the Charter, which are of well-being and conduct of University affairs conferred
the local church and with the knowledge for the suspension of the research. Kiribati Zealand if they had the means. That would and operations of the University. particular interest include: by the Charter and the Statutes. It also establishes
the Senate as the academic oversight and regulatory
Furthermore, the Senate is the chief academic
of the government to study communities President, Taneti Mamau, believes climate work against the interests of govern- authority of the University, responsible for all • The University is to have the power, “to affiliate, body. Both the Council and the Senate can delegate
affected by climate change. change is a serious problem affecting his ments on low-lying atolls and it is these academic matters, including quality. It exercises the associate with or co-operate with other institutions their powers, duties and functions to committees or
“We had followed the correct procedures 33-atoll republic which is home to around views that research by the PCC and other powers, duties and functions conferred by the Charter or bodies...” and “to enter into any agreement for employees of the University.
and faced no difficulty until it was reported 100,000 people. researchers might uncover. and Statutes to promote excellence in teaching, the incorporation in the University of any other The Statutes of the University (the Statutes)
institutions or body and for taking over the rights,
consultancy, research and other academic work of the
to the authorities that the community “But we don’t believe that Kiribati will The Pacific Conference of Churches University. properties, liabilities and engagements thereof.” provides inter- alia for the constitution, powers, duties
and functions of both the Council and the Senate. Part
members were speaking to us,” Rabuli sink like the Titanic ship,” Mamau said at General Secretary, Reverend Francois [Article 4 (l) and (m)] four (4) of the Statutes provides for the Council and its
said.“Perhaps there was a misunder- the COP23 meeting in Bonn late in 2017. Pihaatae, described the detention and ex- DRAFTING OF THE CHARTER • The Council may “comment or make committees including membership and its terms of
recommendations on any Regulations relating
reference. There are twenty-six (26) powers, duties and
standing. This research will help Pacific “Our country, our beautiful lands, are pulsion of their researcher as unfortunate. to any programme or course of study...” for the functions of the Council including a catch-all provision
churches advocate at regional and inter- created by the hands of God.” “The PCC and its member churches are OF THE UNIVERSITY consideration of the Senate, which is the chief that the Council is empowered to exercise all powers,
national level on climate change issues. In the eyes of his supporters, discussion genuinely concerned for the Pacific people One of the decisions of the Interim Council during academic authority of the University [Statutes 12 (l) duties and functions that are conferred by the Charter
“It will also help governments, churches on relocation is seen as a detraction from who live every day with salt water intru- the University’s establishment back in 1968 was (xvii) and 17 (l) (i)]. This and other provisions give and the Statutes.
Council more status in academic matters than is
The Council and Senate are supported by a network
and interest groups to know exactly how the immediate work of building climate sion and the gradual erosion of their coast to seek a Royal Charter, which led to intensive usual in Commonwealth Universities. of Standing Committees as well as Joint Committees
discussions and correspondence with the British
the people on the front line of climate change -resilient communities. lines,’’ Pihaatae said. Ministry of Overseas Development, Her Majesty’s Privy • Council includes two (2) representatives of the of the Council and Senate in key areas.
change feel – their fears, doubts, hopes. Under Mamau’s leadership Kiribati is r netrika66@gmail.com
18 Islands Business, July 2018
2018 IB USP 50 Spread 3 Pages.indd 1 28/06/2018 12:53 PM