About the Journal
The Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal (CUMJ) is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary, open-access journal committed to publishing cutting-edge research that drives innovation, fosters intellectual growth, and advances knowledge across diverse academic and professional domains. Since its inception in 2025, CUMJ has served as a premier platform for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to share original research findings, critical analyses, and groundbreaking methodologies with a global audience.
Scope of the Journal
CUMJ invites high-quality submissions from a broad spectrum of disciplines, reflecting its commitment to interdisciplinary research. Key areas include but are not limited to:
Engineering & Technology: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Blockchain Technology, Software Engineering, and emerging IT trends and related fields.
Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences: Clinical research, healthcare innovations, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical advancements, public Health , human Nutrition
Social Sciences & Humanities: Sociology, Psychology, Education, History, Linguistics, Cultural Studies, and related disciplines, Theology
Business & Economics: Finance, Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship, International Trade, and Business Analytics.
Physical & Mathematical Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Environmental Science, and interdisciplinary applications.
Food Science & Security: Food Processing, Food Technology
The journal encourages submissions that explore novel intersections between these fields to address complex global challenges.
Peer Review
To publish an article in the Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal, a rigorous peer-review process is employed. This begins with a check for compliance with submission guidelines and an originality scan. Manuscripts must demonstrate at least 75% originality, corresponding to a similarity index of 0–25%, to proceed.
A similarity index of 26–40% will require revision and resubmission within 15 days. Manuscripts with a similarity index above 40% will be rejected.
All reviewers and authors remain anonymous through a coded system. Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two experts in relevant fields within two months. The Chief Editor coordinates the process, ensuring impartiality and anonymity. Final acceptance depends on the author addressing reviewer feedback and signing a copyright agreement.
The Editorial Board retains the final decision regarding article acceptance, reviewer assignment, publication, and distribution.
Journal templates
Use template-1 for the research article
Use template-2 for review article
Use template-3 for short communication
Use template-4 for a policy brief
Use template-5 for the data article
Note: hyperlink underlined with attached template files
Open Access Policy
This journal offers immediate open access to its content based on the idea that providing free access to research fosters a wider global exchange of knowledge.
Publication Scheduling
This journal will publish two issues annually, with potential for increased frequency in the future.
Publication Agreement
Copyright
For a submitted work to be accepted and published, the author(s) must agree to transfer the copyright to the Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal (CUMJ) of the Catholic University of Rwanda (CUR). This transfer grants full and exclusive rights for publication across all media, both current and future, including but not limited to electronic databases, microfilms, and anthologies.
Non-Exclusive License to Publish
By submitting and accepting publication in CUMJ, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish, distribute, and archive the work in print and digital formats. This includes indexing in repositories, databases, and future anthologies. Authors are free to share, reproduce, or adapt their work elsewhere, provided proper citation of the original publication in CUMJ is given. Proper attribution must be given to the original author(s) and source (CUMJ), and any changes made must be indicated.
Addressing Copyright Infringement
If any instance of copyright infringement or unauthorized use of published material is identified:
The journal will immediately investigate the issue.
If infringement is confirmed, CUMJ reserves the right to retract the article and inform relevant institutions or funders.
Legal action may be pursued if warranted by the severity of the violation.
Authors or third parties who identify a potential copyright violation are encouraged to contact the journal immediately via the Chief Editor’s email.
Legal Jurisdiction
This copyright policy and any disputes arising from publication in CUMJ shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of Rwanda. Any legal proceedings shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Rwandan courts.
Payment
The Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal now accepts online payments for all journal-related services. Local authors can pay through approved mobile money or bank transfer options. Foreign authors are requested to use PayPal for secure and convenient transactions. Detailed payment instructions are available on our website. All authors are advised to retain proof of payment for verification and future reference. For any inquiries or assistance regarding payments, please contact the journal administration.
Article Processing Charges (APC)
The Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal charges a modest Article Processing Charge (APC) of 30 USD per accepted manuscript. This fee supports essential activities including the peer-review process, editorial management, language editing, typesetting, digital archiving, DOI assignment, and online publication. The APC ensures high-quality production standards and long-term accessibility of articles through our open-access platform. Authors are encouraged to make the payment promptly upon acceptance. For international authors, payment should be made via PayPal, while local authors may use approved bank or mobile payment methods.
Author Warranties:
Authors must agree to transfer copyright to the Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal of the Catholic University of Rwanda. This grants full publishing rights across all media, including electronic databases and anthologies.
The authors warrant that the submitted work is original, unpublished, and does not infringe on any third-party rights. If an earlier version of the paper was presented at a conference, this must be acknowledged. Authors agree to indemnify the publisher and editors against any breach of these warranties.
Information for Authors
- Introduction
The Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal (CUMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes high-quality research across disciplines such as education, health sciences, technology, theology, business, environmental sciences, agriculture, and more. CUMJ aims to promote scholarly excellence and global knowledge exchange by providing a platform for interdisciplinary research and evidence-based policy contributions. Submissions are welcomed from researchers, academics, and practitioners worldwide.
- Types of manuscripts
The journal accepts the following types of manuscripts:
Original Research Articles (5,000-7000 words)
Review Articles (7,000-10 000 words)
Case Reports (maximum 2,000 words)
Short Communications (maximum 2,000 words)
Editorials (maximum 1,200 words)
Letters to the Editor (maximum 1,500 words)
- Manuscript Preparation Guidelines
Formatting
Manuscripts must be written in clear English or French, typed in Times New Roman, font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing and justified alignment. Use A4 page format with 2.5 cm margins.
Title Page
Include the manuscript title, full names of all authors, their affiliations, email addresses, and the corresponding author clearly marked.
Abstract
Provide a structured abstract (maximum 250 words) summarizing the background, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. Include 3–5 keywords.
Main Text Structure
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
- Use APA for social sciences
- Use Vancouver for Health Sciences
- Use IEEE for Science and Technology
References must be listed numerically (if Vancouver) or alphabetically (if APA or IEEE) and must be complete.
Figures and Tables
Number and label all figures and tables, they must be cited in the text.
Provide captions below figures and above tables.
Supplementary Materials
Any additional materials such as datasets, questionnaires, or multimedia files may be submitted as supplementary documents.
Ethical Compliance
All manuscripts involving human or animal participants must include a statement confirming ethical approval from a recognized institutional review board and written informed consent where applicable.
- Submission and Review Process
Authors must submit manuscripts electronically via the journal’s online submission platform or designated email. Each submission undergoes an initial editorial screening followed by a double-blind peer review by at least two experts. Review outcomes may be: accepted, minor/major revisions, or rejected. The full review process takes approximately 6 weeks.
- Open Access and Copyright Policy
CUMJ is an open-access journal. All published articles are freely available online without subscription. Upon acceptance, authors must sign a copyright transfer agreement granting CUMJ full publication rights while retaining the moral rights to their work.
- Article Processing Charge, Waiver, and Refund Policy
An Article Processing Charge (APC) of 30 USD applies per accepted article. This fee covers editorial handling, peer review, typesetting, language editing, digital archiving, DOI assignment, and open-access hosting.
Foreign authors are required to pay via PayPal.
Local authors may pay via mobile money or bank transfer.
Waiver Policy: Partial or full waivers may be granted in exceptional cases, especially for authors from low-income countries or with proven financial constraints.
Refund Policy: APCs are non-refundable once the article has entered production.
- Ethical Considerations and Malpractice Statement
CUMJ adheres to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines. Authors must ensure the originality of submissions, avoid plagiarism, and disclose any conflicts of interest. All cases of suspected misconduct (e.g., duplicate publication, data fabrication) will be investigated and may result in retraction or sanctions.
- Proofreading and Final Submission
Authors will receive a proof version of their article before publication. It is their responsibility to carefully review and approve the final version. No major changes will be accepted at this stage, except for minor corrections.
INFORMATION FOR REVIEWERS
- Peer Review Process
The Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal (CUMJ) uses a double-blind peer review process to ensure objectivity, fairness, and academic integrity. In this system, both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review. Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise.
The review process includes:
An initial editorial screening for scope, structure, and plagiarism.
Anonymous distribution of the manuscript to qualified reviewers.
A 2 to 4 week review period per reviewer.
Consolidation of reviewer feedback by the Editorial team, followed by the final editorial decision.
Reviewers are expected to evaluate:
Originality and significance of the study
Methodological soundness and ethical compliance
Clarity and coherence of the presentation
Validity of conclusions and relevance to the journal’s scope
- Reviewer Responsibilities
Decision Recommendations
Reviewers must provide a clear recommendation using one of the following categories:
Accept – The article is suitable for publication without revision.
Minor Revision – Requires small changes; may not need a second review.
Major Revision – Requires substantial revision; must be re-reviewed.
Reject – The article is unsuitable for publication in its current form.
Key Responsibilities:
Notify the editorial team immediately if you are unable to review a manuscript within the assigned time.
Maintain confidentiality and avoid sharing or discussing the manuscript with others.
Provide constructive, respectful, and unbiased feedback to improve the manuscript.
Disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect your impartiality.
Identify any unethical practices, including plagiarism, duplication, or data fabrication.
Your expert input is vital to upholding the academic quality and integrity of CUMJ. We deeply appreciate your contribution to scholarly excellence.
INFORMATION FOR EDITORS
- Editorial Role and Responsibilities
Editors of the Catholic University Multidisciplinary Journal (CUMJ) are entrusted with upholding the integrity, academic quality, and ethical standards of the journal. They serve as the bridge between authors, reviewers, and the publisher to ensure a transparent, timely, and rigorous peer-review and publication process.
- Core Editorial Obligations
- Initial Manuscript Evaluation
Assess whether the submission aligns with the journal’s scope and standards.
Conduct an initial screening for structure, clarity, originality, and plagiarism (using plagiarism detection software).
Assign manuscripts to at least two qualified reviewers while ensuring a double-blind review process.
- Review Coordination
Select and invite appropriate reviewers based on subject expertise and availability.
Ensure timely completion of reviews and send reminders where necessary.
Evaluate reviewer feedback for quality, relevance, and consistency before making a decision.
- Decision Making
Editors must make fair, unbiased, and timely decisions, selecting one of the following outcomes
Plagiarism Policy
What is Plagiarism? Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s work, ideas, data, or words as one’s own without proper acknowledgment. This includes:
Copying text verbatim without quotation or citation
Paraphrasing someone else’s ideas without giving credit
Submitting another person's work as your own
Using figures, tables, or data without appropriate reference
Self-plagiarism, where authors reuse significant parts of their previously published work without disclosure or citation
Plagiarism violates academic integrity and ethical research practices and is considered a serious offense in scholarly publishing.
