Professor Mark Bussin has been appointed Chancellor of Kopaline University in Zambia, bringing decades of academic, governance and leadership experience to expanding higher education access opportunities.
The appointment places the South African academic and business leader in a senior institutional role at the Lusaka-based university as it works to strengthen access to higher education and prepare graduates for employment, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Bussin is Group Lead Director at 21st Century and a co-founder and former Chairman of the management consultancy.
Kopaline University said his appointment would bring an international perspective to its leadership while supporting the institution’s ambitions around innovation, partnerships and accessible education.
The university provides both campus-based and online learning, with a stated focus on making tertiary education more affordable and preparing students for the realities of work and business.
That focus aligns closely with Bussin’s career, which has combined higher education with extensive corporate advisory work.
His academic experience includes roles at the University of Johannesburg and the University of Cape Town, where his work has contributed to developing postgraduate students and strengthening the connection between academic research and organisational practice.
Bussin has supervised 15 doctoral dissertations and 114 master’s theses, representing a substantial contribution to postgraduate education and the development of future researchers and business leaders.
His professional career has also included advising boards and organisations on remuneration, governance, performance and reward.
Before his continuing work with 21st Century, Bussin held senior reward roles at Sasol and Standard Bank, giving him experience across both academic and corporate environments.
That combination of perspectives is expected to support Kopaline University as it develops graduates who are academically prepared while also understanding the expectations of modern organisations and economies.
“It is a privilege to take on this responsibility at Kopaline University,” Bussin said.
“Higher education plays an important role in developing capable, ethical graduates who can contribute meaningfully to their organisations, communities, and economies. I look forward to supporting the university as it continues to build on that ambition.”
As Chancellor, Bussin will provide high-level institutional and ceremonial leadership while supporting the university’s broader positioning and development.
The appointment also reflects the growing movement of expertise between African countries as universities seek partnerships, leadership experience and new approaches to preparing students for rapidly changing economies.
For Kopaline University, widening access is particularly important in a continent where demand for tertiary education continues to grow alongside the need for graduates equipped with practical, professional and entrepreneurial skills.
The university’s combination of physical and online learning is intended to broaden participation beyond students who can access traditional campus-based education alone.
For 21st Century, the appointment represents recognition of Bussin’s long-standing contribution to leadership, people development and organisational thinking.
Ntombizone Feni, Group CEO of 21st Century, described the appointment as a proud moment for the organisation.
“Mark has made an enormous contribution to 21st Century over many years, and we are delighted to see his experience recognised in this way,” Feni said.
“His appointment as Chancellor gives him another platform through which to contribute to leadership development and the growth of people across the continent.”
Founded in 1996, 21st Century provides remuneration, reward, people, organisational development and job architecture solutions to organisations across different sectors.
The consultancy says it has worked with more than 3,800 clients, including non-profit organisations, government entities, parastatals, privately held businesses and more than two-thirds of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Bussin’s appointment extends that work into another sphere of influence, connecting organisational leadership experience with the development of students and institutions.
For Kopaline University, the opportunity is to use that experience as it strengthens its academic offering, develops partnerships and expands the pathways available to students preparing for careers and entrepreneurship.
The appointment also reinforces a wider African development opportunity: using experienced leaders from education and industry to help universities build graduates capable of contributing not only to individual organisations, but to communities and economies across the continent.
