About the Chancellor
Sir Ronald Sanders, KCMG, KCN, AM
Chancellor, University of Guyana
Sir Ronald Sanders was appointed Chancellor of the University of Guyana in January 2026. As Chancellor, he serves as the ceremonial head of the University and as a principal ambassador for its mission, values, and international standing.
Born in Guyana, Sir Ronald’s early education and formative years were shaped by the country’s intellectual and cultural traditions, before he pursued higher education in the United Kingdom. He holds a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex and undertook advanced academic study and research engagement at institutions including the University of Oxford, the University of London, and Massey College at the University of Toronto.
Sir Ronald has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning journalism, public policy, diplomacy, and international advocacy. He has served as an elected member of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), twice as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and as Ambassador to the World Trade Organization. He is internationally recognised for his work on issues affecting small states, including sovereignty, international law, climate change, development finance, and democratic governance. His career reflects a sustained commitment to the principle that size does not diminish a nation’s voice or rights in the international system.
He currently serves as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and as Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, where he has been elected to leadership roles, including multiple terms as Chair of the Permanent Council. In these capacities, he has played an influential role in hemispheric diplomacy, institutional reform, and the defence of democratic norms.
Sir Ronald is also a prolific writer and public intellectual. He is the author and editor of several books and numerous essays on Caribbean affairs, Commonwealth relations, and regional and global governance, and is a regular contributor to international media and policy forums. His work bridges scholarship and practice, translating complex global challenges into principled and accessible public discourse.
His public service has been recognised through numerous honours, including appointment as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), a Knight Commander of the Order of the Nation (KCN), and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), as well as honorary academic distinctions from the University of the West Indies (DLitt) and the University of Guyana (LLD).
As Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Sir Ronald is committed to advancing the University’s role as a centre of academic excellence, national development, and global engagement, with particular emphasis on Guyana’s development needs and human-capital growth. He brings to the office a deep respect for scholarship, a belief in education as a driver of social mobility and national confidence, and a vision of the University as a bridge between Guyana, the Caribbean, and the wider world.