Prof Clement Sankat receives honorary doctorate at UG’s 59th convocation

Professor Clement Sankat, one of the Caribbean’s most accomplished tertiary-education leaders, was honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree during the University of Guyana’s 59th Convocation on November 20, 2025.
The recognition follows his recent return to Guyana to lead the Guyana Technical Training College Inc. (GTTCI), where he is steering the country’s most ambitious effort yet to train Guyanese for the oil and gas sector and related industries.
Receiving the honorary title, Prof. Sankat told the gathering that he accepted it “with profound humility,” describing the distinction as deeply meaningful coming from his homeland.
“There is something deeply emotional about being recognised by one’s own country,” he said, adding that wearing the university’s regalia made him feel “the weight of history, gratitude, and a personal sense of coming home.”
He extended appreciation to UG’s leadership, noting, “I will forever carry this honour with pride, and I commit to always supporting our national university.”
Prof. Sankat’s recent return to Guyana is central to understanding the importance of the honorary degree. Born in No. 64 Village, Corentyne, he spent decades leading major universities across the region, including serving as Principal of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, and later as President of the University of Belize.

He revealed in a recent interview on ‘Starting Point’ that he returned at the direct invitation of President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who encouraged him to help build the country’s technical training capacity. According to the professor, he was asked to develop a concept paper that laid the foundation for establishing GTTCI, now Guyana’s flagship oil and gas technical-training institution.
Reflecting on the opportunity, he said he was “extremely grateful” to be able to give back to the country of his birth after decades of regional service.
In his convocation address, Prof. Sankat told graduates that they were entering a country undergoing extraordinary change. “Our country is experiencing transformation in energy, engineering, agriculture, forestry, environmental protection, ICT, health, and education. The pace is extraordinary. The world is watching Guyana with awe, and with expectation.”
But he cautioned that long-term development depends on institutions and people rather than natural wealth alone. “Natural wealth alone does not make a nation great. Institutions do. People do.”
Since assuming leadership at GTTCI in Port Mourant, Prof. Sankat has prioritised creating a world-class technical workforce capable of supporting Guyana’s expanding petroleum and industrial sectors.
GTTCI’s location in rural Berbice was deliberate, intended to stimulate regional development and eventually support a “college town” economy in Port Mourant.
Prof. Sankat used his convocation address to offer graduates 13 guiding principles for professional life. Among them were appeals for lifelong learning, reliability, sound judgment, ethical behaviour, and humility. He also emphasised that “AI, remote sensing, drones, automation… these are not the future; they are the present,” urging graduates to embrace new technologies as part of their professional growth.
Prof. Sankat has spent more than seven decades shaping educational institutions across the Caribbean. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that national development must be built on strong systems, high-quality training, and people of character.
“In the end, Guyana’s success will not be measured by how much oil we extract… It will be measured by the competence of our people, the strength of our institutions, and the character of our nation.”
He closed by encouraging graduates to step confidently into a changing Guyana. “Graduands of the University of Guyana, go forward with purpose, excellence, courage, and pride.”