Internationally-respected diplomat and Caribbean Statesman, Sir Ronald Sanders, KCMG, KCN, AM, MA, was on Friday, February 13, 2026, installed as the University of Guyana’s 11th Chancellor, at a special ceremony held at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT), Turkeyen Campus.
Among those in attendance were His Excellency, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister Hon. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Anthony Phillips; Minister of Education, Honourable Sonia Parag; Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Mr Zulfikar Ally; members of the diplomatic corps, senior public and private sector officials, faculty, students and well-wishers from academic and other regional organizations across the Caribbean.
The ceremony was formally declared opened by Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin. In a symbolic and historic moment, the VC invited Sir Ronald to take the Declaration of the Oath of Office.
Delivering remarks at the ceremony, President Ali framed the occasion as one of national significance, describing Sir Ronald as “a distinguished son of the soil” whose life’s work uniquely equips him for this moment in the University’s history.
“Sir Ronald Sanders is no stranger to this region’s development process. He is no stranger to academia, to research, and to the diligent work of transforming institutions. At this time in our history, when the world is undergoing rapid change, it is appropriate that we have a bridge—someone who can help us navigate the changing global environment in which education must be pursued and delivered,” President Ali Said.
President Ali underscored that while the Government’s policy of free education had expanded access, it must now be matched by quality, relevance and national purpose. “Free education creates possibilities, but it does not guarantee outcomes. Our education must be much more than access; it must be matched to national development needs. The University of Guyana must be strong in research, able to contribute to global literature, and capable of producing graduates who are globally marketable through integrated professional certifications,” he stated.
He further emphasised that the Office of Chancellor carries deep responsibility. “The Office of Chancellor is not ornamental. It is about what the person brings to the institution and how that leadership aligns with national transformation. Sir Ronald’s strength in diplomacy, his international stature and tested leadership will be an immeasurable asset to the University and to Guyana,” President Ali noted.
In his inaugural address, Sir Ronald pledged to work diligently to help sustain the University’s integrity, relevance and confidence in a time of rapid national change. “Guyana today, stands at a hinge of history. Economic possibility has widened, national expectations have risen, and global competition has sharpened. In such moments, a country’s future is not secured by resources alone. It is secured by what its people know, how quickly they learn, and how effectively they apply knowledge,” he said.
He challenged the University to act, not as a passive observer, but as a driver of national capability. “Knowledge is not an ornament of development; it is its engine. The University must sit at the very centre of the national project, not at the margins, but as a force shaping confidence, competence and character,” he noted,
The Chancellor also called for stronger links between research and practical applications, urging the University to convert scholarship into innovation and policy and production. He stressed that private sector investment in university infrastructure is not charity, but “strategic self-interest”, and emphasised that free education must translate into “valuable education that facilitates both individual and national growth.”
Sir Ronald, a Guyanese-born diplomat of global standing, brings to the office a lifetime of service across journalism, broadcasting, diplomacy and scholarship. As Chancellor, he is expected to serve as a vital bridge between the University, the Government and the international community, helping to position the University of Guyana as a world-class centre of higher learning at a time when the nation’s future is being reshaped by unprecedented opportunities.
Immediate past Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene, CCH, offered a heartfelt and reflective account of his six-year tenure, describing it as a period defined not by ease, but by resilience forged in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “While the world paused, the University of Guyana moved forward, adapting, innovating, and proving that the spirit of this institution is unbreakable,” he said.
Prof. Greene highlighted major milestones achieved under his stewardship, including the University’s institutional accreditation in 2025, the award of more than 40 PhDs through the Staff Improvement Scheme led by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, the establishment of the Institute of Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economies, the launch of Project Alpha as an immersive digital learning platform, and the completion of a modern medical complex at the Turkeyen Campus, among many others.
In congratulating his successor, Professor Greene remarked, “Chancellor, you inherit an institution on the trajectory of becoming a global brand. You bring the rare combination of intellect and diplomacy, and I ask the University community to accord you the same cooperation and sense of purpose that sustained me.”
Pro-Chancellor Professor Randolph B. Persaud who spoke on behalf of the Council of the University, echoed similar sentiments, describing Sir Ronald as a leader with a wealth of experience drawn from international diplomacy, the private sector and higher education. He assured the new Chancellor of his full support and commitment to advancing the University’s mission, noting that in his “42 years in higher education, I have never felt more energised to begin a new journey with a Chancellor.”
Chair of the Committee of Deans, Professor Leyland Lucas, welcomed Sir Ronald as a steward uniquely equipped for the times. “You bring to this institution a wealth of diplomatic, academic and practical experience. We commit ourselves to working with you to establish new programmes and strengthen existing ones that are critical to national development,” he stated.
Dr Davon Van-Veen who spoke on behalf of the workers union described the office of Chancellor as one rooted in moral authority and continuity. “The Chancellor stands as guardian of the University’s intellectual heritage and future promise. Universities endure not because they are free from difficulty, but because they remain committed to truth, integrity and collegial governance,” he said.
The voices of students and alumni added a deeply human dimension to the ceremony. President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), Ms Tirishatha Semple, welcomed the new Chancellor with warmth and optimism. “This University shapes not only our education, but our confidence, our purpose and our future. Chancellor, we assure you of our full support. This University is your home—so welcome home,” she said to resounding applause.
On behalf of the Guild of Graduates, Ms Somattie Sayrange affirmed the alumni’s enduring connection to the institution. “We recognise the Chancellor’s role in safeguarding the values of the University and inspiring excellence, integrity and service. We stand ready to support initiatives that strengthen academic excellence, institutional development and national advancement,” she said.
Senior representatives from sister academic institutions across the Caribbean offered warm congratulations to Sir Ronald and expressed hope for deeper collaboration with the University of Guyana. Those offering remarks at the event included; the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), the T.A. Marryshow Community College, St George’s University, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, and the University of Southern Caribbean.
The University of Guyana extends its heartfelt congratulations to Sir Ronald Sanders on his installation as the 11th Chancellor, and looks forward with confidence to his visionary leadership in advancing the institution’s mission of excellence, service and national development.
Please see the video of the event here: https://youtu.be/hj6pmcrcUvM
