SAIC, UKBI in collaborative R&D effort

McLean, Virginia-based Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)(NYSE: SAI) has signed an agreement with the University of Kent on behalf of the United Kingdom Biometrics Institute (UKBI) to collaborate on biometric and identity projects. Helped along by efforts of the U.K. Trade & Investment (UKTI), the agreement aims to maximize cooperation from academia, industry, and government in collaborative research and development. The agreement, for example, establishes an SAIC student sponsorship program to help enhance students’ professional skill sets in the increasingly important area of biometrics. “This program demonstrates SAIC’s commitment to working with academia and the government to bring science to solutions quickly,” said John Christensen, SAIC business development. “With this agreement, we’re reaching back to our scientific roots to help mentor the next generation of scientist in the U.K.” As part of the sponsorship program, the team will establish the “SAIC University Challenge,” a contest designed to encourage bold and innovative biometric ideas. During the contest, teams from UKBI universities will develop product ideas, form virtual companies and compete against each other for an award. “This challenge will encourage university students to work with industry to adopt innovative and creative solutions, solve complex problems, think strategically and use project management skills,” said Carole Barron, director of Enterprise at the University of Kent. “It will help position these students to pursue careers in the biometrics and leverage their abilities to help solve some of the world’s most complex problems.” Andrew Cahn, chief executive of U.K. Trade & Investment, said, “The SAIC University Challenge is a pragmatic initiative to help develop the next generation of industry-ready students from UK universities. UK Trade & Investment works to foster collaborations of this kind in key sectors worldwide.”