Now in its 14th year, the National University Finance and Procurement Conference provides an annual forum for Higher Education Sector professionals to share and explore progressive and innovative solutions in Finance and Procurement, both within the sector and new innovation driven by business.  

By popular demand, 2014 Conference will include workshops and case studies that demonstrate practical as well as strategic solutions to the challenges facing Higher Education Providers in the current economic and technological environment.

The conference will run over 3 days from Monday 11th August to Wednesday 13th August and include networking functions and displays by business partners and organisations providing solutions, products and services to the Higher Education Sector.  

Themes and Call for Papers

The Big Questions for Universities of the Future: How to provide better value services, optimise technology as a management tool and how to innovatively out-source services that deliver real cost advantages.

The theme this year will explore whether or not traditionally delivered University Back Office functions will “exit the stage”  and be replaced by a variety of outsourced service models.    Outsourcing traditional core competencies is a strategic business decision and will need progressive and innovative approaches to managing key partner relationships.  New enterprise policy settings on risk management and “collaboration” will become an essential and integral part in the management of outsourcing models, with supplier and third party long-term relationships becoming critical to business success.  

We invite paper presentations and case studies from Universities, other Higher Education Providers and their Business partners that demonstrate progressive and innovative solutions in the management of finance and procurement. This year there will be two Pre-conference workshops.

Pre-Conference Workshop 1:  “Fundamentals of Outsourcing” 
(9 a.m. to 12 noon – 11 August 2014)

This Workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to debate from a business perspective, the advantages and risks associated with  introducing outsourced services.
•    What core competencies in service delivery are fundamental to universities and need to be retained internally?
•    Can all the University Back Office functions be outsourced to many other service organisations?
•    What skills are required in managing your business service providers, suppliers and vendors?
•    Will there be any impact on the university “sense of community” utilising shared services and outsourced services approaches?
•    What is your institution’s appetite for Risk? Can it give up day to day control?
•    Effective partnerships with service providers – building trust and communication
•    Managing Quality and Compliance in an outsourced environment
•    Examples of effective services outsourcing

Pre-Conference Workshop 2:  “Managing Business Applications in Cloud Environments” 
(9 a.m. to 12 noon 11 August 2014)
Utilising remote technology delivery for cost effective business outcomes is a growing trend.  This workshop will address some of the key issues for Finance and Procurement systems managers who may be facing the challenges of introducing and managing “Cloud” based solutions.
•    Contracting for “Cloud Services” – things to know about contracting – a legal perspective.
•    Which model will your institution choose?  Vendors may have inconsistent or different model definitions. Is price the key driver for decision-making? Are there hidden costs?
1.    Infrastructure as a Service model
2.    Software as a Service model
3.    Shared Services models
•    Risk and IT Compliance Policies and Strategies – managing the partner relationship
•    Returning from the “Cloud” – is it easy or hard?
•    Managing the integration of business data between systems in a “Cloud Environment”
•    What do the finance systems and procurement business owners need to know about remotely managed systems? Are they faster, slower, more cost effective and what is the changing role of IT support staff?
•    The importance of managing business owner expectations
•    Case Studies in successful “Cloud” solutions in Australian universities
    
Conference Presentation Submissions should be addressed to 'The Program Committee' for consideration and include a short abstract or session plan and the details of the proposed presenters including Title, Position and Organisation.
Submit to karen@hes.edu.au before April 30th 2014.


Karen Hanna
Business Development Manager - Events
Mobile Phone: + 0428229195
Email: karen@hes.edu.au