Open Window University has been lauded at the 2026 Zambia Business Awards (ZABA) as the University of the Year, affirming its position as the premier creative university in Zambia.
ZABA honours excellence, leadership, and innovation across several Zambian industry sectors, which includes mining, manufacturing, finance, and small- and medium-sized enterprise growth.
“The winners in this year’s awards highlighted outstanding achievements in corporate leadership, public administration, and economic contribution,” says Pluto Panoussis, Chief Strategy Officer and Dean of Academics at Open Window University. “We are flattered to have been granted this prestigious award at an event celebrating organisations and leaders that make a meaningful contribution to Zambia’s economy and communities.”
Open Window University was acknowledged in the following prominent categories:
- University of the Year: Awarded to Open Window University,
- Zambia Top 100 Business Brands of the Year: Awarded to Open Window University,
- Vice Chancellor of the Year: Awarded to Professor George Angelopulo in recognition of his dedicated tenure and exceptional leadership as Vice Chancellor.
To qualify as the top entities in each of these categories, Open Window University was evaluated against ZABA’s core pillars of excellence.
“This achievement reflects the continued dedication of the university’s community to building strong partnerships across the educational sector and maintaining an unwavering commitment to the success of its students and faculty, says Rumbidzai Zawu, Registrar & COO at Open Window University. “It also speaks to a culture that values entrepreneurship and innovation, continuously moving beyond the status quo to develop creative, solution-oriented responses to modern challenges.”
Equally important is the university’s focus on leadership, fostering respect, mentorship and professional development in ways that build trust and empower individuals to succeed.
Zawu emphasised that “behind all of this is a strong commitment to continuous learning. We create an environment where knowledge is shared, challenges are embraced as opportunities for growth, and positive change is consistently pursued. This acknowledgment is a testament to the hard work of Open Window University’s academic and operational teams.”
Open Window University remains focused on empowering the next generation of creators, innovators, and professionals who will shape the future of their respective industries.
“It is this culture that enables Open Window University students to produce exceptional work and graduate with the skills and confidence to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact in both the corporate and creative sectors,” adds Panoussis.