Sir Ronald Sanders UG’s 14th Chancellor

Jan 03, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – Sir Ronald Sanders has been elected as the 14^th Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), according to a statement from the office of the president on Friday.

The release noted that Section 9 of the University of Guyana Act provides that the chancellor shall be elected by the university’s council. The office became vacant following the completion of the tenure of Professor John Edward Greene. On behalf of the Government of Guyana, President Irfaan Ali expressed appreciation to Professor Greene for his service to the university and his contribution to its development and standing.

To this end, President Ali stated, “I am pleased to note that the council of the University of Guyana has identified Sir Ronald Sanders as the prospective chancellor of the university.”

Sir Ronald 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 been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of the West Indies and an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Guyana. The statement further noted that Sir Ronald’s record of scholarship, public service, and multilateral diplomacy aligns with the university’s goals of academic excellence and greater global engagement.

“At a moment of major investment in human capital, his leadership would strengthen the university’s role at the heart of Guyana’s emerging knowledge economy. The Government of Guyana welcomes the appointment of Sir Ronald Sanders as chancellor of the University of Guyana,” the release further stated.

UG in its statement Friday, noted that Sir Ronald’s 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.

“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,” the university noted.

A Life of Service and Intellectual Rigour

Sir Ronald 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.

It was also noted that 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 age of 25.

“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,” the university stated.

National and International Acclaim

Sir Ronald has served as an elected member of the executive board of the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (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.

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• Chancellor, Irfaan Ali, Ronald Sanders, University of Guyana

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