-and future in research
After nearly six years at the helm of the University of Guyana, Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin is preparing to step away from one of the country’s most demanding academic leadership roles.
But as she reflects on her journey leading Guyana’s premier tertiary institution, she says her next chapter will be a return to the work she loves most research, teaching and family.
During an exclusive interview with NCN News, Professor Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin shared that when her tenure concludes in June 2026, she plans to reconnect with the scholarly work that first brought her to academia.
For the 11th Vice-Chancellor, the role has been both an honour and a challenge, guiding the university through change while balancing the responsibilities of leadership. But Professor Mohamed says at heart, she has always been a scholar.
“I am a scholar. When I came to UG I did not come to be an administrator… I came to the university to teach,” she said.
She explained that while the administrative role allowed her to contribute to shaping the institution’s direction, it also meant stepping away from research, a passion she now hopes to revisit.
“So much change is happening in UG, in the country, in the world, and this expertise that I have… I can’t really use it except to try and steer this university… but I want to go back to my academic work,” Dr Mohamed-Martin explained.
But perhaps the most emotional moment came when she was asked about the students she will be leaving behind
“That’s the hardest one. What I always say is that you have in you everything that you need to be the best that you can be… hold that spark, don’t give up the opportunities… make sure you are proud of yourself… and always remember that I love you all,” she expressed.
Professor Mohamed-Martin also expressed hope that the progress made at the university during her tenure will continue under new leadership. She noted that several initiatives were introduced to strengthen systems across the institution and improve the overall student experience, including expanded support services and the development of the university’s childcare facility.
As the University of Guyana prepares for its next chapter, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor says she remains confident that the institution will continue to grow and evolve. And while she steps away from the administrative spotlight, she does so with a clear intention, returning to the classroom, to research, and to the academic work that first defined her career