The Security Institute signs MoU with Buckinghamshire New University

The agreement was formally signed on 30 April at Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus. Representing The Security Institute were Sarah Austerberry CSyP FSyI, CEO of The Security Institute, alongside Ivor Cook CSyP FSyI (chair of the Institute’s Security Education, Accreditation, Training and Standards Special Interest Group) and Jacqui Van Noort, membership engagement officer.

Representing Buckinghamshire New University were Dr Leah Fox (Dean of the College of Leadership and Innovation), Dr Muhammad Akhtar (associate Dean focused on Research and Knowledge Exchange) and Fiona Galbraith, programme leader for global security programmes and Armed Forces champion (designate).

The new partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between academia and the professional security community, in turn supporting the development of future talent, professional pathways and sector innovation.

Key areas for collaboration

The Memorandum of Understanding outlines several key areas for collaboration including:

*supporting education and professional development pathways within the security profession

*encouraging engagement between students, academics and security practitioners

*promoting applied research and knowledge exchange activities

*exploring opportunities for curriculum development and professional education

*supporting joint events, sector engagement initiatives and outreach activities

Through this collaboration, both organisations aim to promote greater alignment between academic learning and industry needs, while also helping to raise awareness of career opportunities and professional development across the security sector.

Next generation

Sarah Austerberry explained: “Collaboration between academia and the professional security community is essential in supporting the next generation of security professionals and ensuring the sector continues to evolve in order to meet emerging challenges. We are delighted to formalise this partnership with Buckinghamshire New University and very much look forward to working together on a range of initiatives that support education, research and professional development.”

The partnership forms an element of The Security Institute’s ongoing commitment to support professionalisation, knowledge sharing and collaboration across the wider security community.

*Further information is available online at www.security-institute.org