The University of Exeter has announced it has secured £6.4 million from the government to expand its advanced engineering and computing education. The funding will be used to construct two new computer science laboratories focusing on augmented, virtual, and extended reality, as well as sensors and internet of things technologies. The university's engineering facilities will also be expanded.
According to the university, the funding includes £4.8 million in programme funding and £1.5 million in capital investment. This investment is intended to support the development of 'the next generation of highly skilled graduates' required by the UK's defence, security, and technology sectors.
University Leadership Comments
Professor Lisa Roberts, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Exeter, stated that the funding would create 'additional opportunities' for students while 'strengthening collaboration' with employers and industry. She emphasised that the investment recognises the important role universities play in developing skills, knowledge, and innovation for the UK's future prosperity, resilience, and security. 'Most importantly,' she added, 'it will help equip the next generation of graduates with the advanced technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in some of the UK's most strategically important sectors.'
Funding Details and Impact
The investment was awarded through the Office for Students Defence Related Skills Funding Competition. It is expected to create almost 700 additional student places. The University of Exeter, a founding member of the South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster, already collaborates with partners across government, industry, and the armed forces on issues such as artificial intelligence, defence data, climate security, and advanced manufacturing.
A university spokesperson noted that the award would create opportunities for students to participate in industry projects, placements, guest lectures, hackathons, careers events, and collaborative innovation activities with employers in defence, security, and advanced technology sectors.
This announcement follows a parliamentary committee warning that delays in publishing a government defence spending report had 'undermined' the UK's credibility with its allies. The Defence Investment Plan, originally due last year, is now expected in early July. The Public Accounts Committee stated that the delay has prevented Britain from equipping its Armed Forces for the modern battlefield and made procuring equipment more expensive.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the Defence Investment Plan would 'fix the outdated, overcommitted and underfunded programme we inherited' and that the government is 'working hard to finalise it.'
