University Partnership Secures Future Bright Sparks

Glasgow, United Kingdom: BAE Systems has today launched a long-term partnership with the University of Strathclyde, one of the UK’s top centres for engineering research and education. The move aims to encourage close co-operation in the development of advanced maritime research and technology and a stream of fresh engineering talent into the Company, helping to maintain its position at the forefront of the complex global warship industry.

Worth at least £1.25 million over the next five years, the partnership is the third of its kind announced this year, demonstrating the Company’s continued investment in research and development in the maritime sector across the UK. The collaboration is part of BAE Systems’ overarching Skills2020 strategy, which aims to nurture the skills required for the Company to remain competitive and operate successfully over the next decade and beyond.

Today’s Memorandum of Understanding will encourage the sharing of skills, knowledge and technology between the University and the Company, giving students opportunities for industrial placements and to learn from new guest lecturers with direct industrial experience. Additionally, the partners have already set up a workshop at the start of the new year to identify the most exciting areas of focus for their first collaborative research projects.

Alan Johnston, Managing Director at BAE Systems’ Surface Ships division, said: “By working in partnership, we’re aiming to bring engineering to life for today’s students and further strengthen the University’s research activity by focusing on real life industrial challenges, but also enhance the skills in our own business, which we need to remain at the forefront of engineering.

“This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the University of Strathclyde and reinforce the position of both the University and our business at the heart of the community in Glasgow.”

Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde, said: “The maritime sector plays an important role in supporting the economy, and today’s announcement reflects the need for leading-edge research and highly-skilled professionals to protect and enhance its future.

“The City of Glasgow has a long and proud tradition of excellence in shipbuilding, and I am delighted that Strathclyde engineers will work side-by-side with industry to develop the maritime technologies of tomorrow.”

The University of Strathclyde has a well established reputation as a leading international centre for engineering research. It has a number of collaborative and multidisciplinary research institutes and is also a partner in several research pools, including the Marine Alliance for Science & Technology for Scotland and Glasgow Research Partnership in Engineering.

BAE Systems plans to announce a further three partnerships with UK universities over the coming year, building on those already launched with Heriot-Watt University, the University of Southampton and now the University of Strathclyde. All will continue to focus on disciplines within maritime engineering.

As one of the biggest UK supporters of education and skills, BAE Systems invests £50 million per annum to support its commitment to life-long learning. The Company is committed to investing in the skills of both its existing workforce and to playing a key role in supporting the development of future engineers in the UK. BAE Systems has links with approximately 100 universities globally through its university partnerships programme, with over 30 of these with UK institutions.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).