Sore Loser? Perhaps not.
Professor Rajesh Chandra, formerly an academic at the University of the South Pacific may certainly appear to be a sore loser, but perhaps he might be right. Not being appointed the Vice-Chancellor at the USP, even though he was more qualified and recommended ahead of Savenaca Siwatibau, certainly looks like a case of something being rotten in the state of affairs at the USP.
For him to come out and make such a charge, that he was overlooked because of his race, is not something a person of his stature and calibre engages in unless it is true.
And for this current, racist government of Fiji to support an expatriate like Anthony Tarr ahead of Professor Chandra, shows exactly why this government is labeled as such.
Anyway, below is the news piece from the fijitimes.com 14/03/2005:
RAJESH Chandra says he was not appointed vice chancellor of the University of the South Pacific because he was an Indian.
Professor Chandra was speaking on Radio Australia yesterday and blamed the Government for not giving him the post.
Anthony Tarr, a professor from Australia, was appointed vice chancellor.
Mr Chandra has resigned from USP to be vice chancellor at the University of Fiji.
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and Education Minister Ro Teimumu Kepa were not available for comments yesterday.
Mr Chandra said he applied for the post in 2000 but Savenaca Siwatibau was appointed even though a panel of vice chancellors from Australia had recommended him because of his qualifications.
"People will come to the conclusion that an Indian will not be vice-chancellor."
Mr Chandra said it was a race issue and that the Government preferred an expatriate vice chancellor.
1:53 pm
Bula vinaka Rottenstate ... As i taukei are we indeed honoured and impressed with your passionate commitment and concern over the state of affairs directly affecting the quality of Fiji. Vinaka for the sincere sentiments and the honest third-party critiquing.
It is indeed a travesty, that our humble 3rd world island-nation is trade, budget and education-deficient, yet refuses to support a group of genuinely concerned well-meaning educationists efforts, towards providing a tertiary educational institution for the facilitation of an obvious void. These gentlemen trouble-shot 'the errs' and courageously activated the service; Gentlemen as such, we will have to agree, tend to not waste their time, being envious and jealous of their academic peers (ref: the late Mr Siwatibau's appointment). Such trivial proclamations and insinuations are irresponsible and ignorant. Any right thinking person, will opt for the constructive pasture, suited to his expertise, to responsibly and adequately supply the resources and curriculum, relevant to the demands of the target segment. Professor Rajesh Chandra is non-political, but is unfortunately being politicised, due to his intentions and history with his scrutinisers. We think that the following statement exemplifies his reasons: "Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; Easy to govern, but impossible to enslave." [Baron Brougham and Vaux (1798-1868), Scottish Jurist and Member of Parliament, Great Britain (Whig). The Present State of the Law]. Professor Chandra's absence from the University of the South Pacific evidently caused mournful dynamics from within the tight-knit governing community and unfortunately, the Government of the day, warranting the dramatics. There is never any harm in good competition, especially in the world of academia ... One simply can not limit another's intellectual expansion with forceful and rigid boundaries. Academics as such, would have thoroughly scrutinised the applicable laws and regulations and researched the loopholes within the system through their experiences and exposures within the area.
Considering that there is a population of about 9,000 school leavers per annum, of which 2,000 are absorbed into the workforce, with the remaining 7,000 who may not all attend the available post secondary school educational facilities, is it utterly regretful, that there is no support for these academic pillars of Fiji's Society, who evidently don't get given the respect due them, for their lifetime commitments towards the education of Fiji's people.
One must take into consideration, that only 2,500 are full-time students and 6,000 are part-time students at the University of the South Pacific, at any given time. Professor Chandra was and is well aware of this fact... Whyever are the relevant offices denying him the official accreditation? Instead of bickering, why can't the offices, respectfully and amicably allow the governing body of the University of Fiji, a time-period appropriate for their course-programmes to reach fruition, prior to some form of assessment pending accreditation? Condemnation isn't moot ... It's petty and immature snivelling ... Why can't the Government of the day, take into consideration that out of the 2,500 (FT) and 6,000 (PT) students, a fair percentage are from outer island-nations and further abroad. Australia's doing it ... And they are gaining incredible 'leaps and boundaries' financially from education alone, second to their mineral resources ... Education is a billion-dollar industry. The Government should be more supportive if they really do genuinely care for Fiji's youth.
The sad reality is, not all school leavers who annually vie for a seat within the educational institution will qualify or will be able to afford it or find placements. Many do wish to pursue academic studies, but not all school leavers will be catered to with their desired courses of preference and variety. The University of the South Pacific course programmes are standard. Fiji needs further expansion via additional educational institutions like the University of Fiji, provided they avail adequate resources and quality instruments, to facilitate the individual student's objective career choice, to eventually serve Fiji, in whatever capacity ... It'll come full circle ... Everyone will be happy ... So what's the problem?
"Education is a the first step on the ladder of economic empowerment." [George Bush, 41st President of the United States of America (R-TX), September 27, 1989]
We are certain that the above quotation, substantiates our viewpoint on the subject.
Vinaka Rottenstate ... :):) top