A PIONEERING deal between the University of Kent and a top American company is set to boost the county’s role in the war on terror.

The university has teamed up with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in Virginia to exchange ideas, technology and people.

The Fortune 500 company is a leader in biometrics, the science of establishing an individual's unique identity.

The UK's plan to introduce ID cards would involve biometric technology and SAIC wants to be well placed to win contracts.

The university is at the forefront of biometric research and development and recently launched the UK Biometrics Institute.

A letter of intent was signed in the British Embassy in Washington during a trade mission by Kent firms.

David Butler, director of Canterbury Enterprise Hub, part of the university, said in Washington: "It is a brilliant opportunity to work with a top-notch company. We are great at R&D but it does need the private sector to implement it. It is a golden opportunity and I hope we will see our students not only move into SAIC but some of their people moving over to us."

Longer term, it could mean jobs for Kent, Mr Butler added, and a possible move by SAIC staff into the county.

John Christensen, SAIC vice-president, said he was looking for emerging markets and the letter of intent was the first step in forging a working dialogue with the university.

"We are keenly aware of how the University of Kent has established a biometrics programme for their graduates. We are interested in their students so they know who SAIC is and may be interested in working for us."

Meanwhile, the university notched up another success in the US when Mr Butler signed a deal with Radford University in south west Virginia to help UK companies do business in Virginia and Virginian firms move into Kent.

During his visit, he spent time at Virginia Tech University, the scene of a shooting massacre earlier this year.