Chalmers invites companies to propose student projects in Rwanda

The collaboration between Chalmers and the University of Rwanda has been built up gradually since 2019, and is now gearing up thanks to a strategic collaboration agreement between the two universities. Recently, Vice President Mats Lundqvist and colleagues visited the innovative university, and they see how completely new opportunities are now opening up for researchers and students in both countries.

Does your company have an idea, a challenge or a development need that could become a Master’s thesis project? Chalmers is now inviting companies and organisations to propose projects where Master’s students can work on real-world challenges – with the opportunity to carry out the project on site in Rwanda.

Through its collaboration with the University of Rwanda, Chalmers has established a network of researchers and contacts across industry, healthcare and the public sector. Chalmers is now looking for more companies and organisations interested in contributing project ideas.

– Rwanda is a dynamic and exciting environment with a clear ambition to develop as a knowledge-based economy. For many international organisations and companies, the country also serves as a regional hub and a springboard to other parts of Africa. As a university, we can contribute to this development through knowledge, education and innovation, says Maria Saline, Project Manager for the Chalmers Health Tech Knowledge Bridge at the President’s Office at Chalmers.

From a company idea to a Master’s thesis

The process is straightforward. A company or organisation provides a specific question, idea or problem to explore. Chalmers matches the project with Master’s students and an examiner responsible for its academic quality. Depending on the project, students and researchers from the University of Rwanda may also be involved.

Project proposals are submitted during the autumn, and students apply for the projects that interest them. Once a match has been made, the project is carried out as a Master’s thesis during the spring semester.
The company or organisation appoints a co-supervisor who gives the student access to the knowledge and information needed for the project. For projects carried out on site in Rwanda, the company also contributes funding for the student’s travel and accommodation.
For students, the programme offers an opportunity to work on a concrete challenge in an international environment and apply their knowledge in a project together with external partners.

Student projects have already been carried out in Rwanda

The model has already been tested in several projects. In spring 2026, a Master’s thesis project was carried out in Rwanda in collaboration with Sigma Technology Insight. The task was to develop a digital prototype for a national patient registry for people with cleft lip and palate. To adapt the solution to local needs, the students interviewed surgeons, government authorities, decision-makers and aid organisations, among others. Through Chalmers’ network in Rwanda, they also gained access to local contacts and supervision.

The prototype was completed during the spring, and the work is now being taken forward at the University of Rwanda.

A longer-term collaboration has involved five Master’s students in three projects investigating the clinical value of a medical technology product for stroke diagnosis developed at Chalmers, as well as the possibilities for introducing it into Rwanda’s healthcare system. The work is continuing and will form the basis for a session on brain health at the Africa Health Forum in Kigali on 9–10 February 2027.

An established collaboration

Chalmers and the University of Rwanda have collaborated since 2019. In 2025, the two universities signed a five-year strategic collaboration agreement focusing on research, education, innovation and the utilisation of research results.

In health tech, the collaboration currently involves more than 20 researchers at Chalmers and the University of Rwanda. Ongoing projects include AI for health, digital health, predictive models for malaria, and stroke and trauma care.

Chalmers also has a research and collaboration coordinator based at the University of Rwanda.