The University of Guyana (UG) has announced transitional leadership arrangements following the conclusion of Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin’s seven-year tenure as Vice-Chancellor, with a three-member management team appointed to oversee the institution while the search for a new head continues.
In a statement issued on July 31, the University said Professor Mohamed-Martin’s contractual term concluded on July 31, 2026, bringing to an end her service as the University’s principal academic and administrative officer.
On behalf of the University Council, Chancellor and Chairman of Council Sir Ronald Sanders thanked Professor Mohamed-Martin for her leadership.
“The University Council thanks Professor Mohamed-Martin for her seven years of stewardship of the University of Guyana and wishes her every success in her future endeavours,” Sir Ronald said.
To ensure continuity in the University’s academic, administrative and financial operations, the Council has established a Transitional Management Team to oversee the institution until a new Vice-Chancellor is appointed.
The team will be chaired by Professor Stafford Griffith, a Professor at the University of Guyana and Professor Emeritus of The University of the West Indies (UWI).
Professor Griffith brings decades of experience in higher education administration across the Caribbean. During his career at UWI, he served in several senior leadership roles, including Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Five Islands Campus, Regional Director of the Office for Online Learning, Director of the School of Education and Deputy Dean of the Mona Campus. He has also held senior regional appointments with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and served on several national and regional commissions and boards.
Joining him on the Transitional Management Team is Dr. Diana Devika Gobin, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
According to the University, Dr. Gobin has more than 18 years of experience in higher education and has held numerous academic and administrative leadership positions, including Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. She has played a key role in the University’s financial administration, academic development and institutional governance and holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation, an International MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and a Bachelor of Social Science in Management.
The third member of the team will be the incoming Chair of the Committee of Deans, who is expected to be elected next week.
The University said the Transitional Management Team will manage its day-to-day affairs under the oversight of the Chancellor and the University Council until a substantive Vice-Chancellor is appointed.
The announcement comes as the University continues its search for a permanent Vice-Chancellor. According to the Council, an international recruitment process has narrowed the field to four shortlisted candidates, who are currently undergoing the final stages of consideration.
Sir Ronald said the Council remains focused on ensuring stability while completing the recruitment process.
“The Council is committed to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition in the leadership of the University while maintaining continuity in its academic mission, governance and administration. I have every confidence that Professor Griffith, Dr Gobin and the incoming Chair of the Committee of Deans will provide the steady and experienced leadership necessary during this interim period. At the same time, the Council remains fully engaged in completing the search for the University’s next Vice-Chancellor through a rigorous and transparent process.”
Founded in 1963, the University of Guyana is the country’s premier tertiary institution, serving thousands of students through campuses at Turkeyen and Tain, as well as online and outreach programmes. The appointment of the transitional management team is intended to ensure continuity in the University’s operations while the Council completes the selection of its next Vice-Chancellor.
