2008 National University Finance & Procurement Conference

Towards a Sustainable Future?

Financial and Procurement Challenges for
Australian Universities in securing Environmental Sustainability

To be held 21 - 23 July 2008,
at the Cairns International Hotel, Cairns

The National University Finance & Procurement Conference, now in its eighth year, provides a proactive forum for university management professionals to meet and discuss current issues impacting the higher education sector in the specific areas of financial management and strategic procurement.

The Conference provides a unique opportunity for the business sector to join with university delegates in an exploration of changing trends in financial management and strategic procurement in higher education. It is relevant to university staff involved in finance, finance systems, procurement, purchasing, travel and associated areas in Australia and New Zealand higher education.

There is a considerable body of international literature on environmental sustainability in higher education which refers to increased costs of energy and resources which will impact the future of research, teaching and university management. Many international and Australian universities are proactively developing comprehensive structures and policies and are measuring performance to ensure an environmentally sustainable future.

The 2008 University Finance and Procurement Conference will explore the Financial Imperatives and Procurement Challenges in achieving Environmental Sustainability and sets out to discuss a number of key questions:

How important is environmental sustainability as an issue in financial planning for Australian universities in 2008 and beyond?
Can universities continue to sustain their current business activities or, even do more with less resources? Will the cost of energy fundamentally change operational activities? How can financial management systems be utilised to provide optimal business intelligence?
What measures are universities contemplating in preparation for potential carbon emissions off-set taxation? Over 250,000 air trips are taken annually by the higher education sector and travel between regional campuses may increase costs.
How can Strategic Procurement policies promote environmentally friendly products, streamline demand and manage waste to secure a sustainable future?

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