His academic background is Curriculum Theory and Teaching as well as Education Leadership and Management. He also has an interest in Politics of Education, Change Management, Africanisation and African higher education. He is currently rated C2 by the National Research Foundation (NRF) – C2 means that all of the reviewers are firmly convinced that the applicant is an established researcher as described.

In 2013, he was the recipient of the coveted Chancellor’s Prize for Research at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Additionally, in 2004 he was part of the National Professional Diploma in Education (NPDE) Team that won Excellence in Tuition Award for materials development at UNISA. Msila was also a Fulbright Fellow at Michigan State University in 1999 where he completed a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum Theory and Teaching. His other qualifications include Master of Philosophy in Conflict Management and Transformation, Master of Education in Education Management as well as a Doctoral degree in Education Management.