The Council of the University of Guyana has announced the official appointment of Sir Ronald Sanders, KCMG, KCN, AM, MA, as the 14th Chancellor of the nation’s premier tertiary institution.
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 serve 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 recognized 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 recognized 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 modernization and transformation of our economy and society.
The Honourable Minister of Education Sonia Parag, as well as Pro-Chancellor Professor Randolph Persaud, Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, and the UG Council, has expressed profound satisfaction with the appointment, and has also welcome the new Chancellor on behalf of the Senior Administration of the University of Guyana.