Page 36 - IB June 2019

Indepth

Ahluwalia’s aspirations

New USP chief talks about plans to make uni greater

TWENTY-eight years after first setting foot on the Laucala Campus of this institute and that in itself is something that really needs to
of the University of the South Pacific, Pal Ahluwalia is back as its be celebrated. I think a lot of that was celebrated during the 50th
ninth Vice Chancellor and President. Back then, he was a visiting anniversary and appropriately so. We can’t forget that. One of the
junior lecturer from the University of Adelaide in Australia, but things that we have to do is that we have to learn— and this is
prior to taking over the leadership of USP in January this year, also very much part of Pacific culture, respecting our elders—just
he was Pro Vice Chancellor of a leading university in England. because our professors are retired, does not mean that they do
Professor Ahluwalia was born in Kenya, educated in Canada and not have a place and a contribution to make. Most of them have
Australia and has worked at the University of California at Berke- given their life to this institution and we have to respect that and
ley and at San Diego, the University of London and the University we have to make sure that they continue to in some capacity add
of South Australia. Islands Business publisher Samisoni Pareti value for our future generations.
and staff writer Peni Komasavai talked to Professor Ahluwalia I am very keen on that. Sometimes people think that the
about his plans for USP. only contributions people can make is financially com-
pensated, but there are so many people who give
IB: You want the USP to be value- led in the strategic on a daily basis, even when
plan you are now reviewing. What do you mean they have retired and
by that?

Ahluwalia: What I mean about values education is that I
wanted very much to emphasise, I want every graduate to realise
that in everything we do, we are unique because we are located
in the Pacific islands and that we have a unique culture. I was
very much inspired by the idea of inclusiveness, inclusivity and
open dialogue, so as I have said… the plan will be guided by
inclusive Pacific values, of inclusive families, participatory and
open dialogue and the values that I want to really emphasise are
excellence and creativity because I think that has to drive things
in the university.
I am really passionate about ethics and accountability, respect
and inclusivity, where you must have respect for our cultures.
Everything that I have done is to try and emphasise the values
of the Pacific islands… and the last is really about supporting our
people, it is about supporting our students.
IB: Is USP losing its Pacific-ness?

Ahluwalia: I do not think that we are losing our unique
Pacificness. When I look at what we are doing and what we are
accomplishing at our Oceania Centre, which is the hub of our
Pacific, I am really pleased with what is happening.
The most important thing I have learned in this university is
that when I go in the region, and discover how
many leaders in the region are graduates

USP’s new Vice
Chancellor Professor
Pal Ahluwalia

36 Islands Business, June 2019
36 Islands Business, June 2019