Stephen Morgan MP has congratulated the University of Portsmouth on becoming a founding member of the UK’s new Defence Universities Alliance (DUA).
The DUA, which has been launched by Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP, is a new national alliance bringing together leading universities to strengthen defence research, develop future skills, and support careers across the UK’s defence and national security sectors.
This will be a long-term collaboration between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the UK Armed Forces, the Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor for National Security, and the higher education sector.
The University of Portsmouth has been chosen from almost 100 applicants to help build connections between academic institutions and the defence sector, creating an opportunity to bring individuals into some of the most exciting career pathways from cyber security, robotics, AI, aerospace engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
The alliance forms part of the Government’s £182 million defence skills package, supporting economic growth, and ensuring every region benefits from the MOD’s historic £298 billion defence investment over the next four years.
Mr Morgan’s congratulations follow his continued advocacy for the University of Portsmouth.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“I would like to congratulate the University of Portsmouth for becoming a founding member of the UK’s new Defence Universities Alliance.
“Portsmouth is the heart and home of the Royal Navy, and I have continuously advocated for the university as an engine for growth and I am glad to see this acknowledged with this announcement.
“I look forward to collaborating with them to take advantage of this crucial opportunity to strengthen defence research, develop future skills, and support careers across the UK’s defence and national security sectors.”
University of Portsmouth’s Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Galbraith said:
“The University of Portsmouth is proud to become a founding member of the Defence Universities Alliance.
“We have a long history of working with organisations across the defence and national security sectors, and we welcome the opportunity to strengthen those partnerships through research, innovation and skills development.”
By signing the Defence Universities Alliance Charter, founding members have committed to supporting defence and national security research, promoting careers across the defence sector and strengthening collaboration between academia, government and industry.
The Alliance will also provide universities with opportunities to engage more closely with the MOD, policymakers and defence partners to help shape future research, skills development and innovation.
