The University of Exeter has approved plans for a “formal partnership” with Saudi Arabia to train senior military officers and government officials, the Guardian reported.

In a deal that could generate millions of pounds for the Russell Group university, Exeter academics will deliver an MA in applied security and strategy (also known as an MStrat) to a cohort at the National Defense University (NDU) in Riyadh.

The MA will form the academic component of the NDU’s global strategy and strategic leadership programme, starting in 2026-27, and will be delivered to about 20 individuals per year, over three years. Until two years ago, the NDU was called the Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

The Exeter deal has not been widely publicised. It was approved by the university council in February this year, then endorsed by its senate the following month. In council minutes, seen by the Guardian, the partnership with the NDU is marked “Strictly confidential and commercial in confidence”.

In its marketing material, the university says the MStrat blends “academic depth with practical application”. It is aimed at working professionals in the armed forces, the government and international organisations and “offers a rigorous yet flexible environment in which to build strategic expertise”.

UK universities often sell consultancy and training to foreign governments via contracts worth millions of pounds. All such proposals have to be vetted first by university authorities to assess the legal, ethical and security risks of any potential collaboration.

Last month, the UK government announced the formation of a defence universities alliance – with Exeter among the 35 founding members – to “bring together academia and the armed forces” as part of a £182m investment to strengthen defence research and build critical skills.

A spokesperson for Exeter University said: “The MA in applied security and strategy has been taught at Exeter since 2012 through our strategy and security institute. Its students include serving British military personnel sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and Chevening scholars supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

“We are in discussions to deliver this established Exeter programme to a cohort at the National Defense University in Riyadh. Professional military education has formed part of the UK’s defence relationship with Saudi Arabia for many years, including through UK government institutions.

“Partnerships of this kind are assessed on academic and ethical grounds, through a process separate from budget planning.

“Like universities across the sector, Exeter continues to develop external partnerships and educational activity that supports our academic mission and enables our expertise to have impact in the UK and internationally.”

Last month, The University of Exeter, National Ain Shams University and Ain Shams University of Egypt marked a significant milestone in their strategic partnership by signing Heads of Terms at the historic Al Zaafaran Palace in Cairo.

The agreement reinforces a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunity, research excellence and innovation between the United Kingdom and Egypt, the University of Exeter said in a statement.

It also represents the next major step towards establishing the University of Exeter’s long-term educational presence in Egypt through a pioneering partnership with National Ain Shams University and Ain Shams University who sit among the largest and highest ranked public universities in Egypt and the wider region.

Developed through an International Collaboration Agreement, the initiative will create new opportunities for Egyptian students to study for globally recognised University of Exeter degrees in Egypt while strengthening research collaboration, knowledge exchange and engagement with industry, the University of Exeter said in a statement last month.

The ceremony brought together senior leaders from the University of Exeter, National Ain Shams University and Ain Shams University, alongside representatives from government and key strategic partners who have supported the development of the collaboration over the past year.

Students studying in Egypt will benefit from the University of Exeter’s research-intensive education, internationally recognised academic standards and strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, employability and real-world impact, while remaining closely connected to the innovation, culture and opportunities of Egypt.

The partnership is designed to support Egypt’s ambitions as a regional hub for higher education, research and innovation, creating new opportunities for collaboration with government, industry and employers, while contributing to the development of future talent capable of supporting sustainable economic growth across Egypt, the Middle East and Africa. (The Guardian; University of Exeter)