THE University of Exeter has secured £6.4 million in Government funding to expand advanced engineering and computing education, supporting the development of the next generation of highly skilled graduates needed by the UK's defence, security and technology sectors.

The investment, awarded through the Office for Students Defence Related Skills Funding Competition, will create almost 700 additional student places, establish new specialist laboratories and strengthen links with employers.

It will support opportunities for students to develop skills in areas critical to the UK's future prosperity, resilience and security, including advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, digital technology, energy, healthcare, transport, security and defence.

The award builds on the University of Exeter's long-standing contribution to defence, security and resilience research, education and innovation.

Members of the Defence, Security and Resilience Network with expertise in engineering, computer science, environmental science, social science, strategy, policy and the humanities are working to address some of the most complex challenges facing society.

University of Exeter researchers work with partners across government, industry and the armed forces on issues including artificial intelligence, defence data, climate security, advanced manufacturing, sensing technologies, resilience, geopolitics and emerging technologies.

The University is also a founding member of the South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster, helping strengthen one of the UK's most significant regional defence and security ecosystems.

The funding award comprises £4.879 million in programme funding and £1.515 million in capital investment.

The capital investment will support the creation of two new computer science laboratories focused on augmented, virtual and extended reality (AR/VR/XR) and Sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

Engineering facilities will also be expanded through investment in the University of Exeter's Smart 3D Lab and the (Re)Manufacturing and Quality Lab (REMAQ), enhancing opportunities for students and researchers to work with advanced technologies and industrial partners.

The Government's Strategic Defence Review highlights the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting national resilience, technological innovation and economic growth.

Universities have a critical role to play in developing that capability through research, education and partnership.

The OfS award will create opportunities for students to participate in industry projects, placements, guest lectures, hackathons, careers events and collaborative innovation activities with employers operating across defence, security and advanced technology sectors.

Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said: "This investment recognises the important contribution universities make to developing the skills, knowledge and innovation needed to support the future prosperity, resilience and security of the UK.

"At the University of Exeter, we have a long and successful history of working with partners across defence, security and advanced technology sectors. This funding enables us to build on those strengths by creating additional opportunities for students, investing in world-class facilities and strengthening collaboration with employers and industry.

"Most importantly, 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."

The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university that combines world-class research with high levels of student satisfaction.