Chalmers’ makerspace Fuse has a counterpart at the University of Rwanda, and a collaboration agreement between the two universities offers many opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from each other. Recently, a group of students and staff visited the newly established UniPod Rwanda. They encountered a number of challenges relating to the working environment, but also returned with a strong sense of entrepreneurial spirit and creative thinking.
Innovation and entrepreneurship permeate all aspects of UniPod Rwanda and its student association. From left: Prosper Muganza, Benitha Irakoze, Regis Dusingizumuremyi, Elsa Erkfeldt and Rickard Lennernäs.
A creative learning environment and meeting place bringing together education, research, industry and society. This description fits both Fuse at Chalmers and UniPod at the University of Rwanda – a makerspace that is currently taking shape.
Fuse is clearly a source of inspiration for UniPod Rwanda. At the same time, the collaboration agreement between Chalmers and the University of Rwanda creates opportunities for an exchange that can benefit students and staff at both universities
At the time of the visit, Chalmers students Elsa Erkfeldt and Rickard Lennernäs were chair and committee member, respectively, of T-RAX, the student association linked to Fuse. Together with Pelle Evensen, a technician responsible for the wood and electronics workshops at Fuse, they had the opportunity to visit UniPod Rwanda in May 2026. The aim was to inspire each other, help develop the workshops and support the Rwandan students in establishing their new student association.
“In Sweden, we have a strong culture of student associations, which does not exist in quite the same way there. T-RAX has around 700 members, while UniPod Rwanda’s association has 30–40. So there are major differences,” says Elsa Erkfeldt.
Good equipment but a shortage of expertise
Once there, it became clear that the two universities operate under very different conditions and face quite different challenges. In terms of the working environment and safety, the Chalmers group felt that UniPod Rwanda still had a number of gaps to address.
“They have functional spaces and have acquired a lot of good equipment, but they lack people in charge with the right expertise to make full and safe use of the workshops. Things have happened a little back to front – they have simply started in the wrong order,” says Pelle Evensen.
The group encountered many practical challenges and helped develop clear procedures to address them, for example concerning protective equipment and the handling of chemicals and waste.
“There was an awareness of these issues – they were areas the team had already been thinking about. So they were very receptive when we shared our experiences,” says Rickard Lennernäs.
Dedicated people make a difference
Pelle Evensen agrees, emphasising that good working procedures and a strong focus on safety begin with having the right people in the right roles. And progress is being made.
“I think it is important to find those dedicated people who have the right knowledge in the different areas. UniPod Rwanda is in the process of recruiting professionals to act as workshop supervisors, so they can make better use of the facilities,” he says.
During the visit, Pelle Evensen helped reorganise the wood workshop to make it work better, and the group had the opportunity to see a wide range of activities taking place at UniPod Rwanda. Everywhere they went, they encountered a strong desire to create something worthwhile, and it became clear that innovation and entrepreneurship permeate every part of the operation. This was evident in everything from the student-run café to the ambition to make furniture for the premises rather than buy new pieces.
“Everything they do is characterised by great creativity, and I think that has made an impression on all of us. In many cases, they may not have the same equipment or expertise as at Chalmers, but that also encourages them to try new things. For example, they used the workshops in a really cool way, combining laser cutters with equipment in the textiles workshop to make beautiful notebooks,” says Elsa Erkfeldt.
Creativity and new ideas provide inspiration
The ability to think in new ways and make the most of the resources available inspired everyone in the group.
“It is a very good mindset to always try to make use of what you have,” says Pelle Evensen.
Hopefully, the collaboration between Fuse and UniPod Rwanda is only just beginning. But the group stresses the importance of recognising the different conditions and understanding that few things can be transferred directly between the two universities.
“Much of the infrastructure we take for granted does not exist in the same way in Rwanda: systems are hierarchical and processes often take a long time. So it is important to find production processes that work in Rwandan conditions. We have now begun building relationships and an understanding of each other’s activities. I hope we can help UniPod Rwanda develop as successfully as possible, so that it can become a model for other UniPods in Africa,” says Pelle Evensen.
About Fuse
Chalmers Fuse is a makerspace and laboratory where education, research, industry and society come together to test and realise ideas. Fuse is a physical learning environment open to all Chalmers students, regardless of their field or level of study. Students can use Fuse as part of their courses, but also in the evenings and at weekends for their own projects.
About UniPod Rwanda
UniPod Rwanda is an innovation and makerspace centre at the University of Rwanda that helps young people turn ideas into real products and businesses. The centre was inaugurated in November 2023 and is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Timbuktoo initiative.
The Africa Program
Partnering for Sustainable Solutions and Global Impact; advancing innovation, research, and impact