Three North East universities have joined a new Defence Universities Alliance (DUA) to help strengthen defence research, build critical skills and support the UK’s future defence capability as part of a £182mn government investment to build defence-related skills and expand opportunities across Britain.
Durham, Newcastle are Northumbria are among 35 UK universities in the DUA alongside other top institutions like Oxford, Edinburgh, Manchester and King’s College London chosen from almost 100 applicant institutions.
Students will gain greater access to exciting defence careers, while the universities will help drive cutting-edge research, said the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The DUA would bring together defence and academia to strengthen research, develop critical skills and build the highly skilled workforce needed to support the UK’s future defence capability.
“The DUA will strengthen connections between academia and the defence sector, helping to support a pipeline of skilled graduates into exciting careers, including cyber security, robotics, AI, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing,” said the MOD. “In doing so, the initiative will ensure young people leave university ready for work, with a bridge between study and employment.
“By harnessing world-class research with the defence sector’s expertise, the DUA will help to tackle future security challenges while translating cutting-edge research into battlefield advantage and medical advances that support personnel, veterans and families.”
Preparing for warfighting readiness
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “As we prepare for warfighting readiness, working with universities, students and innovators boosts skills and helps keep our country safe. The DUA will create meaningful connections between students, academia and defence, boosting research, skills and defence expertise across the UK to strengthen industry. Universities play a key role in innovating and supporting defence, and the DUA helps marshal those efforts.
“In this new era of threat our £182mn defence skills package is helping to create opportunities for students, apprentices and young people, making sure our historic £298bn defence investment is an engine for growth across the UK, and building on the more than 272,000 industry jobs supported by MOD spending.”
Newcastle University
Professor Christopher Day, vice-chancellor and president of Newcastle University, said: “At Newcastle, we recognise that national security and resilience are shaped by many interconnected factors. Alongside advances in engineering and technology, they depend on resilient infrastructure, trusted digital systems, healthy communities, effective policy and a highly skilled workforce.
“Membership of the DUA will create new opportunities for our students, researchers and partners through collaboration, skills development and innovation. It will strengthen our contribution to the economy, support highly skilled jobs and help develop the talent and technologies needed for the UK’s future security, resilience and prosperity.”
Durham University
Durham University said: “We already play a significant role in research and education that supports and promotes the resilience of the UK, our democratic way of life and the security of our citizens.
We look forward to continued working with other universities in the region as we seek to drive innovation, economic growth, and the development of a skilled workforce in the North East of England.”
Northumbria University
Professor Andy Long, vice-chancellor and chief executive of Northumbria University, said: “Being named one of the 35 founding members of the DUA is a proud moment for Northumbria. We have long been committed to research and education that makes a real difference – to our region, to the people who serve our country, and to the challenges that matter most to the UK’s future security and prosperity. DUA membership gives us a stronger platform from which to build on that commitment, and we look forward to playing an active role in shaping what the Alliance becomes.”
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