Rusangu University International Journal for Interdisciplinary Research
Rusangu University International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (RUIJIR) is a leading academic forum devoted to expanding the frontiers of knowledge via interdisciplinary research, collaboration and innovation. Integrative and holistic pursuit of knowledge cutting across conventional disciplinary boundaries are necessary to address the challenging conundrums of the twenty-first century. RUIJIR is published twice a year. The goal of this journal is to disseminate knowledge, offering a forum for trading research and development-related ideas both domestically and internationally. It seeks to contribute towards national and international development by guiding and influencing policy on a range of topics that will ultimately impact positively people's quality of life. Vision of the Journal "A high-caliber, international journal of interdisciplinary research that engages in an exchange of remarkable knowledge and ideas to bridge disciplines and inspire innovation” Aim The main aim of the Rusangu University International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (RUIJIR) is to promote and facilitate the advancement of interdisciplinary research by providing a platform for the publication and dissemination of high-quality research findings that integrate diverse academic perspectives and methodologies. This central aim encompasses fostering collaboration among researchers from various disciplines, enhancing the accessibility of knowledge to a global audience; and finding solutions to contemporary global challenges. Objectives The objectives of the Rusangu University International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research: Publication of Scholarly Articles: Regularly publish peer-reviewed research articles, review papers, case studies, and theoretical analyses in a wide range of disciplines. Ensure Research Quality: Maintain rigorous standards of quality through a robust peer-review process, ensuring the integrity and validity of published research. Encourage Emerging Scholars: Support and promote the work of emerging researchers and academics, providing a platform for new voices in interdisciplinary research. Global Accessibility: Enhance the accessibility of research findings by ensuring that the journal is available to an international audience, possibly through open-access options. Support Innovation: Encourage innovative research approaches and methodologies that push the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines. Promote Ethical Research Practices: Uphold high ethical standards in research and publication, promoting transparency, honesty, and integrity in all published works. Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Serve as a hub for the exchange of ideas and knowledge among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from different fields. Address Contemporary Issues: Focus on research that addresses current global challenges and contributes to the solution of pressing social, economic, and environmental issues. Organize Academic Events: Support and organize conferences, workshops, and seminars that foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration. Engage with Broader Audiences: Going beyond the academic community to engage with industry professionals, government agencies, and the public to maximize the impact of research. Scope RUIJIR will publish academic works in the disciplines of social sciences, natural sciences, business, environmental studies, climate and agriculture, computer science, information technology, religious studies, theology, health sciences, and education. The journal will place emphasis on integrating theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and techniques from various fields to elucidate complex phenomena. It will also address real-world challenges and promote research discourse in form of articles, reviews, perspectives with scholarly contributions that exhibit an interdisciplinary focus. Open Access Declaration As an open access publication, RUIJIR is dedicated to providing readers around the world with free access to top-notch research. We think that unfettered access to academic literature encourages innovation, information exchange, and the advancement of science and technology. 1. All articles published on RUIJIR are permanently and freely available to anybody, without the need for a subscription or a paywall. 2. The authors give RUIJIR permission to publish the article under a Creative Commons Attribution License, but they maintain copyright to their work. If they properly acknowledge the original author or authors and the publication source, this permits others to distribute, remix, modify, and expand the work—even for profit. 3. The quality and integrity of the published studies are guaranteed by the journal's stringent peer review procedure. 4. To increase the exposure and influence of their work, we advise authors to submit prints or pre-prints in reputable databases and repositories. Publication Fees RUIJIR shall not charge any processing fee. Publication Ethics Publication ethics are crucial for maintaining the integrity, credibility, and quality of an academic journal. They ensure that research is published in a fair, transparent, and responsible manner. By adhering to these principles, an academic journal can maintain its reputation for integrity and contribute positively to the academic community. These guidelines create an environment of trust and transparency for authors, editors, reviewers, and readers alike. The framework for publication ethics for RUIJIR include: Ethical Guidelines for Authors, Editors and the Publisher Originality and Plagiarism: Authors should submit only original work that has not been published elsewhere. If the work includes parts that have been previously published, proper citation and acknowledgment should be provided. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is not tolerated. RUIJIR reserves the right to conduct plagiarism checks. Authors should properly reference all sources of ideas, data, and quotations. Authorship: All authors listed on a paper must have made a significant contribution to the research, design, or writing process. The corresponding author should ensure that all co-authors are appropriately acknowledged and agree to the manuscript's submission. Authors should not include individuals who did not contribute to the work or omit authors who contributed. Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their work, such as financial, personal, or professional relationships that could be perceived as creating bias in their research. Data Accuracy: Authors are expected to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the data and results presented. Any errors discovered after submission or publication should be promptly corrected or retracted. Human and Animal Rights: Research involving human participants or animals must comply with ethical guidelines. Authors should include statements regarding informed consent (for human subjects) and ethical approval (from relevant bodies or institutional review boards). Plagiarism Detection: The journal may use plagiarism detection tools to ensure the originality of submitted manuscripts. Authors should be aware that manuscripts found to contain plagiarized material will be rejected. Ethical Guidelines for Editors Fairness and Objectivity: Editors should evaluate manuscripts based on the quality of the research and the relevance to the journal without bias toward the authors' race, gender, nationality, or personal beliefs. Editorial decisions should be based on the validity, originality, and significance of the work, not personal or professional relationships. Confidentiality: Editors must maintain the confidentiality of the submitted manuscripts, without disclosing any details of the manuscripts to anyone except those involved in the peer-review process. Editors should not use unpublished data or findings from manuscripts under consideration for their own research. Handling Conflicts of Interest: Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest, such as when they have a direct relationship with the authors or a financial interest in the research. Publication Decisions: Editors are responsible for making publication decisions based on the peer-review process and the academic rigor of the work, ensuring that all decisions are impartial and based on objective criteria. Timeliness: Editors should handle manuscripts promptly to ensure a timely review and decision-making process. This includes communicating with authors and reviewers as needed. Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat the manuscript as a confidential document and not share, discuss, or use the content before its publication. Reviewers should not retain or copy the manuscript for any personal use. Objectivity: Reviews must be based on the content and quality of the research, not personal biases. Reviewers should provide constructive feedback and maintain professional respect for the authors. Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest that may influence their impartiality. They should not review manuscripts that they have a personal, financial, or academic relationship with. Timeliness: Reviewers should provide feedback within the agreed-upon time frame to ensure timely publication. If unable to meet the deadline, reviewers should notify the editor promptly. Ethical Concerns: Reviewers should report any ethical concerns they have about the manuscript, such as issues of plagiarism, data fabrication, or ethical violations in research (e.g., involving human or animal subjects). Ethical Pledge of RUIJIR Transparency and Accountability: The journal ensures transparency in the editorial process, from submission to publication. Clear guidelines should be provided for authors, reviewers, and editors to follow. The journal takes responsibility for the content published and ensure adherence to ethical standards. Correction and Retraction: The journal establishes and follows clear procedures for correcting or retracting articles when serious errors, plagiarism, or ethical breaches are discovered post-publication. Data and Availability: The journal encourages authors to share data and research materials, as appropriate, to enhance the transparency and reproducibility of research findings. Access and Dissemination: The journal promotes wide dissemination of research through open-access platforms, respecting the rights of the authors while ensuring that the knowledge is accessible to the broader community. Ethical Considerations in Special Situations Research Misconduct: If research misconduct (e.g., data falsification, plagiarism) is suspected, the journal has a clear process for investigation and may consult relevant bodies (such as the university or research institution) for resolution. Retraction or Correction of Articles: Articles may be retracted or corrected if there are significant errors or ethical violations in the research. Retractions should be handled in a transparent and responsible manner, with a clear explanation provided. Peer Review Process: The journal should ensure that the peer review process is fair, unbiased, and constructive. Open peer review (where identities of reviewers are known) or double-blind review (where neither authors nor reviewers know each other's identity) can be considered depending on the journal’s policy. Conflict of interest Conflict of interest arises when external factors may be interpreted as potentially influencing the impartiality or objectivity of the job or its evaluation. This can occur any time during the research cycle, such as during the testing phase, the writing of a manuscript, or the process of turning a manuscript into a published article. Declare a possible interest or speak with the editorial office if you're not sure. Unreported interests could result in penalties. Submissions that later disclose unreported conflicts of interest may be disqualified.
Traumatic Portraits of Marginalized Juveniles: Experiences from Zambia
Marginalized juveniles in Zambia face profound social, economic and psychological challenges that shape their lived experiences in traumatic ways. This study explores the traumatic portraits of disadvantaged youth, focusing on their struggles with poverty, abuse, homelessness, discrimination and limited access to education and healthcare. Using a qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews, life narratives and ethnographic observations, the study captures the voices of juveniles in correctional facilities, orphanages and street environments. Findings reveal patterns of emotional distress, societal exclusion and systemic failures that contribute to cycles of vulnerability and marginalization. Despite these adversities, the study also uncovers resilience strategies, such as peer support networks, artistic expression and community-based interventions, which provide coping mechanisms. The study brings to the fore the urgent need for inclusive policies, psychosocial support systems and rehabilitative programs that prioritize the well-being and empowerment of marginalized juveniles. Recommendations emphasize multi-sectoral collaboration to address structural inequalities and create sustainable pathways for juvenile reintegration and social justice.
Marginalized Youth, Trauma, Juvenile Justice, Social Exclusion, Rehabilitation
Copyright (c) 2026 Rusangu University International Journal for Interdisciplinary Research
Socio-Cultural and Historical Significance of Tinti: Community Perspectives from Monze, Southern Zambia
Sacred natural sites are widely recognized as biocultural hotspots where spiritual authority, cultural memory, and local environmental governance converge, often-generating conservation outcomes through customary rules, taboos, and ritual sanctions. This study examines Tinti, a sacred landscape near Rusangu Mission in Monze District, Southern Zambia, as a dynamic arena of cultural meaning, environmental change, and political contestation. Drawing on focus group discussions and key informant interviews with elders, community leaders, and residents, the study addresses three objectives: (i) to document community perceptions of Tinti’s socio-cultural and historical significance; (ii) to analyse local explanations for its degradation; and (iii) to examine community perspectives on restoration pathways. Framed by Political Ecology, the analysis treats ecological decline as inseparable from shifting relations of power and authority over land, knowledge, and legitimacy (Blaikie & Brookfield, 1987; Robbins, 2012; Roberts, 2020). Findings show that community interpretations of Tinti’s degradation extend beyond biophysical loss to include perceived moral and spiritual ruptures, linked to weakened customary institutions and competing religious interpretations of sacred landscapes. These findings resonate with broader African scholarship demonstrating that sacred forests and groves persist or decline in relation to transformations in governance, belief systems, and social cohesion (Barre et al., 2009; Sinthumule, 2024). The study argues that restoration prospects are strongest where ecological rehabilitation is pursued alongside culturally legitimate governance, including community-led rule-making and, where locally acceptable, the re-authorization of ritual protection.
sacred natural sites; political ecology; indigenous environmental governance; taboos; cultural heritage
Gender-Specific Labour Dynamics in Zambian Livestock Production: Empirical Evidence
This study investigates gender-specific labour dynamics in Zambia’s livestock sector, a critical yet underexplored dimension of agricultural production and rural livelihoods. Drawing on World Development Indicators (1990–2024), the analysis applies an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) framework to assess the impact of men’s and women’s labour contributions on livestock productivity. Results reveal that female employment in agriculture exerts a significant positive effect on livestock production in the long run, underscoring women’s indispensable role in sustaining daily animal care and management. However, women’s unpaid contributions as family workers, though essential for short-term operations, do not translate into long-term productivity gains, largely due to structural exclusion from decision-making and limited access to land, credit, and extension services. Male employment in agriculture and both male and female family labour show stronger short-run effects, reflecting men’s influence in market-oriented tasks and household labour’s role in immediate livestock upkeep. Control variables such as agricultural land and cereal yield further reinforce productivity linkages through feed availability and grazing space. Policy implications highlight the urgent need for gender-sensitive livestock policies that enhance women’s access to productive resources, formally recognize unpaid labour, and promote equitable participation.
Agriculture, gender, labour dynamics, livestock production, Zambia
Evaluation of Students’ Academic Achievement: Dynamics in Selected Senior High Schools in Assin North Municipal, Central Region, Ghana
This study evaluated students’ academic achievements in selected senior secondary schools in Assin North Municipal in Ghana. It employed a qualitative research paradigm, in particular a case study, undertaken within the Assin North Municipal in three senior high schools in the Central Region of Ghana. Using purposive sampling method, I selected six English teachers and 100 students for the study. The result accruing from the investigative study conducted by the researchers revealed that most of the teachers are adept and highly competent in their profession using appropriate evaluation techniques such as objective questions, group assignment, and provision of ample feedback for students and evaluation of students’ understanding more than three times in a term. The study also revealed that most of the students are well informed to make English their career path, possesses basic knowledge and communicative skills. The investigative study also indicated that teachers assess students on various fronts, such as objective of the lesson, profile dimensions of the English syllabus and what WAEC often use for assessment. These approaches employed by the selected teachers had a positive impact on students so that they there was an improvement in their performance in English. Without a doubt, the study shows that students’ academic performance improved due to the teachers’ approach to evaluation practices as influenced by the supervisor in those selected schools. Approach to evaluation, as shown by the findings of the study, was proactive, result-oriented and didactic. However, there is room for improvement on the part of the teachers, it is recommended that teachers should strive to furnish students with feedback on time and provide ample comments on students’ papers so as to facilitate understanding of core issues in the English language so as to ensure continued development of the students in communicating effectively in the king of languages – English.
Evaluation of Students, Academic Achievement, English Syllabus, Communication Skills
End-time remnant and the 144000: A comparative study
This paper presents a comparative biblical-theological analysis of the End-Time Remnant and the 144,000 as depicted in the Book of Revelation. It examines whether these two designations refer to distinct entities or to the same eschatological community, focusing on their theological, ethical, and missional significance within Adventist theology. Employing a historicist hermeneutic grounded in the Adventist interpretive tradition, and informed by comparative exegesis and Ellen G. White’s writings, the study argues that the 144,000 represent the consummate spiritual maturity of the End-Time Remnant rather than a separate group. The paper finds that divine sealing confirms sanctified character, evidencing God’s power to restore His image in humanity. It concludes that true readiness for the Second Advent is not rooted in eschatological speculation but in the formation of Christlike character and mission-driven obedience empowered by grace.
End-Time Remnant, 144,000, Sealing, Eschatology, Adventist Theology, Character Formation, Revelation
Customer relationship management in the banking sector
Adoption of customer relationship management (CRM) is commonly acknowledged as a key factor in effective sales. There is, however, a dearth of data from emerging-market banks that empirically support this assertion. This study examined the relationship between sales success in the banking industry and the three aspects of CRM implementation, which are system quality, user training quality and data quality. Access Bank Zambia Limited was chosen as the focus for the study. A total of 200 sales people participated in a cross-sectional survey. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to analyze objective sales metrics together with measures of perceived system functioning, reliability, and usefulness; training comprehensiveness and interactivity; and data accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Results show that 32.5% of the variation in sales performance was explained by CRM system quality alone (β = 0.37, p < 0.001). A total adjusted R2 of 0.486 (p < 0.001) was obtained by adding user training quality, which raised explained variance by 9.3% (β = 0.24, p = 0.002), and CRM data quality, which added 6.8% (β = 0.29, p < 0.001). These results show that over half of the observed diversity in sales success is driven by a combination of strong system platforms, extensive training programs, and high-fidelity customer data. Practical implications include prioritizing infrastructure redundancies, blended-learning training frameworks, and automated data-governance controls to maximise CRM returns in resource-constrained banking environments.
CRM implementation; sales performance; system quality; training quality; data quality; Zambia
Climate change early warning signs and use of indigenous knowledge among Pastoralists in Namwala, Zambia
Climate variability and change is one of the environmental stresses that have impacted negatively on the Zambian economy. In Namwala District in Southern Zambia, a study was conducted among pastoralists with the aim of understanding early warning signs to climate change. The objective was to determine <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">pastoralists’ local perceptions to climate variability and e<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">stablish early local warning signs and use of <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">indigenous <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">knowledge i<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">n weather forecast<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. The study used typical sampling technique in the selection of household heads and was exploratory in nature. The findings established that the majority of pastoralists (85%) have heard climate change information from a combination of sources including radio (45%), relatives, friends and neighbours (32%), agriculture and veterinary extension officers (25%), television (8%), and internet through mobile phones (5%). The findings further show that early warning signs and use of <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">indigenous <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">knowledge<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> manifested in form of tree leaves sprout and flowering (65%), clouds and weather conditions (56%) and insects and animal behaviour (51%) as the best-known weather forecast indicators for the majority of the respondents, followed by astronomical celestial bodies (40%) and bird chirping (34%). Thus, local perceptions and indicators of climate variability and change shows that there was a growing understanding among pastoralists that climate variability and change were happening and are continuously affecting their livelihoods. The study concludes that although extreme weather events are unavoidable, weather and climate information at local level should be identified, understood, and interpreted using local early warning signs and indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches, methods and tools. It is recommended that although pastoralists have built up sufficient adaptive capacity to live with change and uncertainties, they should be understood together with other relevant partners in gathering, processing and forecasting early warning information to achieve Sustainable Development Goal number 13 on Climate action.
Early warning sign, Kafue Flats, Indigenous knowledge, Pastoralists