ANU: Australia and UK join forces on national security education

UK establishment of a College for National Security modelled on the National Security College at The Australian National University (ANU).

Australia and the United Kingdom are set to deepen collaboration in national security education, following the establishment today of a UK College for National Security (CfNS), modelled on the ANU National Security College (NSC).

The Head of the NSC, Professor Rory Medcalf, welcomed the announcement of the counterpart institution by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which follows his recent virtual meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“The NSC is a longstanding joint initiative between the Australian Government and ANU,” he said.

“Our mission is to develop the people, ideas and networks for a secure Australian future, and I’m delighted we can take that further with such a close international partner.”

Professor Medcalf said discussions had begun with the leadership of the CfNS and he looked forward to developing close and wide-ranging collaboration.

“This partnership will expand the security expertise and capability of Australia and the UK in facing up to shared risks,” he said.

“We’ll work closely with them to map a partnership spanning shared curricula, staff exchanges and priority research.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said the ANU National Security College played a pivotal role in fulfilling the University’s distinct mission to serve all Australians.

“ANU was established to help secure Australia and our region and meet the challenges we faced after the Second World War,” Professor Schmidt said.

“Under Rory’s excellent leadership, that’s exactly what the NSC does today.

“And now the College is having a truly global impact – inspiring the CfNS in the UK, which will not only bring our two nations closer together but help ensure we can all work together to build a more secure world.”