Students will be better able to access exciting defence careers and leading universities will contribute cutting-edge research to the defence industry as 35 world-class universities have become founding members of the Defence Universities Alliance (DUA).
Launched today by Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP at the University of Manchester, the DUA will create a thriving network of defence research expertise and drive a highly-skilled workforce across the UK.
With Loughborough University already making strides in engineering, manufacturing, and technology research, this new partnership offers the chance to continue research in the defence sector and provide new opportunities to help keep the country secure.
The alliance is a long-term collaboration between the MOD, the UK Armed Forces, the Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor for National Security and the higher education sector. It will help defence and academia work together across research, skills and developing the future defence industry workforce.
Chosen from almost 100 applicants, members of the DUA will build connections between academia and the defence sector, creating a pipeline of skilled people into some of the most exciting career pathways from cyber security, robotics, AI, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Universities will provide the ideas, expertise and talent to tackle complex research and development challenges, contributing to boosting UK defence innovation, working with the defence sector and Armed Forces to translate research into battlefield advantage.
This flagship alliance follows an £80 million MOD investment in 2,500 student places across 24 universities and colleges. It forms part of the Government’s £182 million defence skills package, strengthening the UK’s talent pipeline, supporting economic growth, and ensuring every region benefits from the MOD’s historic £298 billion defence investment over the next four years.
The UK also recently announced the establishment of five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, backed by £50 million to boost skills in advanced manufacturing, engineering and technology while driving growth across the UK.
Professor Nick Jennings, Vice-Chancellor and President of Loughborough University, said of the alliance:
“I am delighted that Loughborough University is one of the 35 universities to join the Defence Universities Alliance today. This partnership will enable us to continue our research in areas that help keep the country safe and secure, whilst also giving our students strengthened connections with careers across the sector. We look forward to working together with the Government and the other members of the alliance in this exciting collaboration.”
Professor Tim Dafforn, Chief Scientific Advisor, Ministry of Defence, said:
“The Defence Universities Alliance represents a genuinely transformative step forward in how Defence partners with the UK’s world-leading academic sector. By bringing together our shared expertise, ambition and innovation, the Alliance will help us tackle some of the most complex challenges facing Defence at a strategic level. I am incredibly excited about the opportunities this creates. The DUA will fundamentally change the way Defence, universities and industry work together - strengthening our national security, creating strategic advantage and supporting growth to deliver better outcomes for the UK.”