Prem Misir resigns as University of Fiji Vice Chancellor

Former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Prem Misir has resigned as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Fiji some three years after taking up the post.

Misir gave no reason for his resignation on June 7, 2018, but, according to the Fiji Sun, there was high drama since the scholar’s appointment to the post.
Misir was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Fiji on June 1, 2015, and it is alleged that the sudden act was provoked by animosity within the Management Department of the institution.
The Fiji Sun reported that the University’s senior management has been embroiled in employment issues regarding senior members of the University academic faculty. The University is owned by the Arya Samaj Organisation and according to the Chairman of the University’s Council, Anil Tikaram, “The VC has resigned on his free will and there were no other factors which led to his resignation.”
It was reported that there were members of staff who did not like Professor Misir. When he applied for a work permit extension himself, five employees complained to the Immigration Department. He had to seek help from the Prime Minister’s office. The Fiji Immigration Department is said to have been reluctant to provide another work permit to Professor Misir.
Misir resigned after that, but later reconsidered. However, he was informed that his resignation letter had been accepted.
There are three employment cases pending against the University. The former staff members claimed they were wrongfully terminated.
Misir is the holder of a PhD (University of Hull, England); MPH (University of Manchester, England); MPhil (University of Surrey, England); BSc (Honours) (Queen’s University of Belfast, United Kingdom); Postdoctoral programme in Public Health (Columbia University, New York); and Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (FRSPH).
Misir is also the former Pro Chancellor of the University of Guyana.
While acting as Pro Chancellor, he had an affiliation with the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Guyana, teaching Research Methodology and Biostatistics.
After leaving the University of Guyana, he accepted the appointment of Executive Director of the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU), Ministry of Health, Government of Guyana, managing the Global Fund in the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
He also was the Head of the Press and Publicity Unit, Office of the President, Government of Guyana.
The Professor was a Clinical Associate Professor at New York University College of Dentistry; Associate Public Health Epidemiologist at the Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Assistant Professor and Primary Care Coordinator at Interfaith Medical Centre/State University of New York Health Services Centre Brooklyn; Research and Evaluation Coordinator – graduate medical education, United Hospitals Medical Centre/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
In addition, he is the author of nine books with the most recent being HIV&AIDS Knowledge And Stigma in Guyana.