By Caribbean News Global 
GROEGETOWN, Guyana – Sir Ronald Sanders is set to become the next Chancellor of the University of Guyana following his identification for the post by the institution’s Council, a statement from the Office of the President confirmed on Friday, News Room Guyana reports.
The position became vacant after the completion of the term of Professor John Edward Greene, whose tenure the government of Guyana has described as distinguished and impactful on the University’s development and standing.
Under Section 9 of the University of Guyana Act, the Chancellor is elected by the University’s Council.
Sir Ronald, a highly respected Caribbean diplomat and scholar, brings decades of academic and international experience to the role. He is a former Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford and holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex. He has also been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Guyana and an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of the West Indies.
His academic career includes service as senior research fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and senior fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto. He also served as rapporteur on a special committee appointed by the vice-chancellor of the University of London and was an elected member of UNESCO’s executive board.
On the international stage, Sir Ronald currently serves as Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States and has served an unprecedented three terms as president of the OAS Permanent Council. He is widely regarded as one of the region’s leading voices on diplomacy, multilateral engagement and the role of small states.
The government of Guyana has welcomed his appointment, noting that his leadership comes at a time of major national investment in education and human capital. Officials say Sir Ronald’s appointment is expected to strengthen the University of Guyana’s academic stature, global reach and role in the country’s emerging knowledge-based economy.
Meanwhile, the council of the University of Guyana announced the official appointment of Sir Ronald Sanders, KCMG, KCN, AM, MA, as the 14th Chancellor of the nation’s premier tertiary institution, stating that:
“The appointment follows the formal assent of the University Council on January 2, 2026, marking a historic milestone for the University as it welcomes a diplomat of international stature to lead its highest governing body.
“Sir Ronald, a son of Guyanese soil whose career has spanned the heights of international diplomacy, scholarship and broadcast journalism, succeeds a legacy of distinguished Chancellors. His appointment comes at a transformative era for the University of Guyana as it seeks to expand its cutting-edge programmes, research footprint and international partnerships.
“A Life of Service and Intellectual Rigour Sir Ronald Sanders currently serves as the ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and to the Organization of American States (OAS), having previously served (twice) as High Commissioner to the UK, and Ambassador to the European Union and the World Trade Organization.
“Throughout his life of service, he has embodied the core ideals of Caribbean diplomacy: principled advocacy, intellectual rigour, and an unshakable belief in the value of regional and international cooperation.
“His public career began in journalism and broadcasting in Guyana. Rising swiftly to national prominence, he helped shape the “golden era” of radio journalism, becoming the general manager of the Guyana Broadcasting Service (GBS) at the remarkably young age of 25. This early commitment to truth and communication foreshadowed the clarity and courage that would define his later diplomatic career.
“Today, Sir Ronald is recognised as a leading intellectual voice in the hemisphere. His syndicated commentaries, published weekly across the globe, continue to inform and challenge policymakers and citizens alike on issues of justice, governance, and the survival of small states in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
“As a diplomat, Sir Ronald’s record is one of distinction and originality. He has served as an elected member of the Executive Board of the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), member and Rapporteur of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group whose report set the terms for urgent reform of Commonwealth, chairman of the Caribbean Action Task Force against money laundering and terrorist financing (CFATF). At the OAS, he achieved the unprecedented feat of chairing the Permanent Council three times. His leadership has been instrumental in navigating the institution through moments of intense hemispheric challenge, including political crises in Haiti and Guatemala.
“Sir Ronald has also been an unyielding voice for democracy in Guyana. He has consistently defended the constitutional order and the sanctity of free elections. Through his prolific writings and diplomatic manoeuvres, he has affirmed the inviolability of Guyana’s borders and the legitimacy of its territorial integrity, standing as a clear and courageous defender of the right of the Guyanese people to determine their own destiny.
“Honours and recognition Sir Ronald’s influence has been recognised globally. He has been awarded the honours of four nations and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of the West Indies. Sir Ronald was honoured in November 2025, with a Distinguished Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Guyana.
“As Chancellor, he will act as a vital link between the institution, the government, and the international community. Sir Ronald will be a major asset not only to the University of Guyana, but to the country as a whole, as we move forward with the modernisation and transformation of our economy and society.
“Minister of Education Sonia Parag, as well as Pro-Chancellor Professor Randolph Persaud, vice-chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, and the UG Council, wish to express profound satisfaction with the appointment, and to also welcome the new Chancellor on behalf of the senior administration of the University of Guyana.”
