The Way Forward

The AUPN Structure

The Australian Universities Procurement Network consists of an Executive Committee of volunteers working under a current terms of reference which is a living document. The AUPN establishes working groups from time to time to address particular projects and issues. The AUPN has established a number of Advisory Groups consisting of category specialists which are integral to the Australian National Higher Education Procurement Benchmarking Programme (ANHEPBP).

The Way Forward

At the meeting of the AUPN Executive Committee in February 2007, the Committee deliberated on the future role of the AUPN entity and the Executive Committee. It was agreed that more focus must be given to regional and state based groups. Whilst the AUPN Executive Committee has been considering national initiatives, various state-based groupings have emerged, particularly in Victoria and Western Australia, where they have met on a regular basis to discuss matters of mutual interest. It would now appear apposite to undertake a review of the current structure and to explore future opportunities for collaboration amongst regional groups and a national approach to strategic procurement policy development.

The national level of the AUPN could constitute more of a network and knowledge sharing entity.

The broadest buy-in to the AUPN has been through the national benchmarking project, shows the worth of the AUPC in bringing universities together and promoting the procurement profession.

The Committee agreed that all Procurement Managers would be consulted regarding the future of AUPN activities and the potential for a regional based model. Accordingly, a discussion Paper was written providing proposals for AUPN models. This included user pays, federation style and a review of the Executive Committee. The Paper was presented at an Open Forum held at the National Finance and Procurement Conference in July 2007 to discuss the proposals with all HE procurement professionals.

The outcome from the 2007 forum discussion has been the development of a model by the AUPN Executive Committee which promotes knowledge sharing and encouragement of regional groupings, the most recent being the NSW/ACT group (PNET) which held its first meeting on 5th March 2008.

The AUPN Committee met on 10 March 2006 and received reports and feedback from regional procurement groups in Victoria, WA and NSW/ACT on the proposed business plan for 2008 onwards and views on future knowledge sharing and communications networks. The Executive Committee has agreed to sponsor two meetings each year encouraging the participation of all procurement managers in Australian universities to attend. The first 2008 General Meeting of regional groupings will be held on 21 July 2008, in conjunction with the National University Finance and Procurement Conference.