Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders, will be conferred with the Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) degree by the University of Guyana (UG) during its 2025 Convocation. The award will be presented at the Faculty of Social Sciences graduation ceremony on Saturday, November 22, at the Turkeyen Campus in Georgetown.
The University’s Special Conferral Committee described Sir Ronald as “a transformative figure in diplomacy, business, and academia,” noting his decades-long commitment to diplomacy, good governance, and Caribbean advancement. The recognition follows his earlier award of an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) from the University of the West Indies, highlighting his status as one of the region’s most accomplished diplomats and public intellectuals.
Over a five-decade career, Sir Ronald has served as Ambassador to the United States and the OAS, former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, and as an elected member of the Executive Board of UNESCO. He has been a leading advocate for the rights of small states in global affairs, with leadership in constitutional resolution missions, Commonwealth reform, and international governance.
UG has also announced eight other honourees who will receive 2025 honorary doctorates across various fields, including business, literature, engineering, sport, agriculture, music, and education. Among them:
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Komal Samaroo, Executive Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited, recognised for shaping DDL into a globally respected enterprise and pioneering the “Authentic Caribbean Rum” mark.
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Nicolette Fernandes, Guyana’s most decorated female squash athlete, praised for her historic World No. 19 ranking, 2006 CAC Games gold, and recent World Masters titles.
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Egbert Carter, legendary civil engineer, acknowledged for six decades of work on major infrastructure and heritage projects, including the Berbice River Bridge.
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Grace Nichols and John Agard, celebrated literary icons, noted for works that bridge cultures and generations, and for bringing Guyanese literary expression to the global stage.
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Mohindra Persaud, Executive Chairman of the Nand Persaud Group, credited with modernising rice production and advancing community development in Region Six.
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Terry Gajraj, iconic Chutney singer and cultural ambassador, recognised for expanding Guyanese music internationally and philanthropic contributions.
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Professor Clement Sankat, Director of the Guyana Technical Training College Inc., honoured for contributions to engineering education and vocational training.
The University explained that honorary recipients are selected through a year-long, research-driven assessment process, with nominees required to demonstrate decades of consistent excellence. This year, 27 submissions were reviewed, with nine honourees chosen due to the limited number of awards that can be conferred annually.
A total of 3,700 students from 180 diploma, degree, and postgraduate programmes will graduate during the 2025 ceremonies. UG said the honorary recipients “exemplify the values of leadership, innovation, and service, inspiring the next generation of Guyanese and Caribbean citizens.”
