The University of Surrey has been named among the 35 founding members of the new Defence Universities Alliance (DUA), launched on Monday, 13 July 2026, by Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP.
The alliance aims to build a UK-wide network of defence research expertise, linking universities with government and industry to support national security, develop cutting-edge research and prepare graduates for defence-related careers.
Surrey said it is “proud to have been named as a founding member of this alliance” and described the move as “a real step change in how our sector meaningfully works with partners in industry and Government to contribute towards strengthening our national security.”
Professor Stephen Jarvis said the university will use the alliance to grow its defence research and “open up new career pathways for our students,” highlighting Surrey’s strengths in “space, cyber security, telecommunications and artificial intelligence.”
Chosen from almost 100 applicants, the DUA will help create pathways into “cyber security, robotics, AI, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing.”
Luke Pollard said: “As we prepare for warfighting readiness, working with universities, students and innovators boosts skills and helps keep our country safe.” He added that the alliance will create “meaningful connections between students, academia and defence.”
The initiative sits within the Government’s wider £182 million defence skills package and follows an £80 million MOD investment in 2,500 student places across 24 universities and colleges, including Surrey. Professor Tim Dafforn called it “a genuinely transformative step forward,” saying the DUA will “fundamentally change the way Defence, universities and industry work together” and help deliver “strategic advantage” and better outcomes for the UK.
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