Sir Ronald Sanders is new UG Chancellor

Last Updated on Friday, 2 January 2026, 19:09 by Writer

Guyana-born Antigua and Barbuda diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders, has been appointed Chancellor of the University of Guyana, a decision that President Irfaan Ali on Monday welcomed.

“Sir Ronald brings to this role an exceptional record of scholarship, public service, and international engagement that aligns closely with the University’s aspirations for academic excellence and global visibility,” the President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.

The Government of Guyana welcomes the appointment of Sir Ronald Saunders as Chancellor of the University of Guyana, according to the statement.

Sir Ronald is a former Guyanese broadcaster and at that time was the youngest General Manager of the now defunct state-owned Guyana Broadcasting Service (GBS).

He later migrated to Antigua and Barbuda and, under the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party administration, was appointed a diplomat to the United Kingdom and the United States.

In keeping with the University of Guyana Act, Section 9, he was elected by the University’s Council’s as its next Chancellor.

The office of Chancellor became vacant following the completion of the distinguished tenure of Professor John Edward Greene.

“On behalf of the Government of Guyana, I extend sincere appreciation to Professor (Edward) Greene for his dedicated service to the University and for his valued contribution to its development and standing,” the President said of the Guyana-born-Greene, a former Assistant Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

A former Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford, Sir Ronald holds a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Sussex, and 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.

He has served as Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, and as Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto.

He was Rapporteur of a Special Committee appointed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London on the future of the Commonwealth Institute and was an elected member of the Executive Board of UNESCO.

Internationally, Sir Ronald is among the Caribbean’s most accomplished diplomats.

He 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 its Permanent Council.

His experience in multilateral diplomacy, scholarship on small states, and sustained engagement with leading global policy institutions reflect a depth of intellect, credibility, and international respect that would further enhance the academic stature and global reach of the University of Guyana.

The President of Guyana also said of Sir Ronald that, “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.”