GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Sir Ronald Sanders, says the University Council has decided to establish a search committee to identify and recommend a new Vice-Chancellor and Principal to replace Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, whose contractual term, after seven years in office, is due to come to an end.
He said that the Council took this decision to ensure that the process for selecting new leadership for the University proceeds in an “orderly, transparent and merit-based manner, consistent with the governing framework of the institution and the Council’s responsibility to secure the best possible leadership for the University”.
Sir Ronald, who is also chairman of the Council, said that following that decision, the search committee agreed that the establishment of the process, together with the public advertisement of the post, would be made public on Monday, March 9, this year.
“This is an important moment for the University of Guyana and for the country it serves.
Guyana is now undergoing one of the most dynamic periods of economic growth and structural transformation in its modern history.
“Expansion in energy production, infrastructure modernisation, economic diversification, and wider international engagement are reshaping national priorities and workforce demands.”
Sir Ronald said in these new circumstances, the University of Guyana, as the country’s premier public University, “must play an even more central role in producing highly qualified graduates, expanding postgraduate education, strengthening research, and contributing independent expertise, innovation and practical knowledge to national and regional development.
“The Council is therefore seeking a Vice-Chancellor of intellectual distinction, strategic courage and proven executive capacity, a person capable of positioning the University as a centre of research excellence, professional training and regional influence in a rapidly evolving economy.”
He said the person sought should possess a distinguished academic record, normally at the rank of full Professor or equivalent, together with significant senior executive leadership experience within a university or comparable institution.
“The Council is looking for a leader with a strong record of involvement at a senior level in institutional growth, research expansion, and performance improvement; sound experience in financial management and institutional administration; and the capacity to lead organisational transformation and complex change.
“The Council is also seeking a person committed to academic freedom, shared governance, institutional accountability, and high standards of integrity. The successful candidate should be able to build partnerships, mobilise resources, inspire high-performing teams, and modernise academic programmes so that they respond more effectively to emerging workforce and industry needs.”
Sir Ronald said that the Council’s objective is clear: “to secure leadership equal to the scale of Guyana’s transformation and to the University’s indispensable role in shaping the country’s future.”
The University of Guyana was established in April 1963 and formally launched on October 1, 1963, to provide higher education for the nation, opening in 1970. A second campus was opened in 2000.
and then 