Kumar Calls for Police, FICAC Probe into Whistleblower Allegations at FNU

Opposition Member of Parliament and former Education Minister Hon. Premila Kumar has called for serious allegations contained in whistleblower reports involving the Fiji National University (FNU) to be referred immediately to higher authorities, warning that failure to act risks harming students, parents, and future generations.

In a statement, Kumar strongly condemned what she described as reckless interference in the affairs of FNU and called for immediate accountability over allegations made by the Chancellor against the Vice-Chancellor.

She said the allegations include mismanagement and breaches of procedure which, based on internal investigations, can be referred to the Police or the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Kumar stated that these are not isolated claims and are supported by whistleblower reports, formal complaints lodged with the FNU Council, and growing evidence of favouritism and abuse of authority.

Kumar said FNU is funded with millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money and that Fijians expect this funding to be used responsibly to deliver quality education and national development.

Instead, she said the university is experiencing growing dysfunction, questionable decisions, and leadership that appears more concerned with protecting itself than serving the public interest.

She also raised concerns about the impact on students, saying young people who should be excited about their education and focused on building a better future are instead being exposed to bullying, harassment, intimidation, and uncertainty.

Kumar said students rely on the integrity of the institution and its leadership, yet are allegedly being victimised by the very people entrusted with guiding and protecting them.

Kumar further highlighted actions she said suggest a deliberate attempt to block oversight, including the cancellation of Council meetings and the physical locking out of the legally appointed Chancellor from his office.

She also focused on parents and guardians who pay university fees, whether privately or through student loan schemes, stating that they and their children are customers of the university and entitled to honesty, transparency, and quality education.

Kumar said this situation represents a grave breach of consumer rights.

She questioned how parents and students could trust the institution when they believe they are being taught by a legitimate professor, only to later discover that academic titles may have been awarded undeservedly or without proper process.

Kumar called for the allegations against the Vice-Chancellor to be referred immediately to FICAC for a full and independent investigation, and for the Office of the Auditor-General to conduct a special audit into serious governance issues and control failures at FNU.

She said the matter is not about politics but about the rule of law, transparency, protecting public money, and delivering quality education.

She said the government must suspend the Vice-Chancellor and all others implicated pending investigation, restore the authority of the FNU Council, and allow independent institutions to carry out their work without interference before further damage is done to Fiji National University.