Strategic sourcing in UK universities: becoming ‘intelligent customers’
Universities are beginning to discover the benefits of new business models in their dealings with suppliers, say researchers at the University of the West of England. They argue that institutions should become ‘intelligent customers’, which will involve investment in new skills, changes in culture and raising the profile of procurement and supply professionals.
ESISS: sharing information security expertise
Universities reap the benefits when information security expertise is shared ‘by the sector for the sector’, reports Dr Andrew Rothwell of Loughborough University’s Centre for Global Sourcing and Services. He talks to Matthew Cook, Ian Griffiths and Peter Darby about the Education Shared Information Security Service (ESISS) as a shared service.
G-Cloud: universities can use new online marketplace
G-Cloud is a UK Government initiative to encourage the adoption of Cloud Services across the whole of the Public Sector as well as the higher education sector. It aims to simplify how the Public Sector buys and delivers services by creating a marketplace of pay-as-you-go commodity services that can be easily scaled up or down, based on the changing needs of an organisation and its users.
Using technology to innovate: new MOOC from the Association for Learning Technology
The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) and its members organised a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) earlier in 2013 to help managers and teachers use technology in Higher Education.
Model letter of agreement – facilities sharing
Model agreement for sharing facilities between institutions, developed jointly by Cambridge University and the Association of University Practitioners.
Model letter of agreement – equipment loans
Model letter of agreement for equipment loans between institutions, developed jointly by Cambridge University and the Association of University Practitioners.
Managing research contracts: Report for Brunswick Group October 2013
This report examines research contracts administration and includes benchmarking of resourcing levels and identifies best practice. Produced by Research Consulting for the Brunswick group of research intensive universities, October 2013.
Working for a smarter, stronger sector: efficiency and effectiveness in higher education progress report...
Progress report on efficiency and effectiveness in higher education - Universities UK November 2013
Universities Scotland: Working smarter – progress report 2013
This report from Universities Scotland reviews progress against the action plan developed by the Universities Scotland Efficiencies Taskforce in 2012. It reflects on the success of the sector across four themes: procurement, shared services and business process improvement, estates management, and ICT.
VAT exemption for cost sharing groups: new guidance from Hefce
HEFCE has published guidance on VAT exemption for cost sharing groups delivering shared services. It includes illustrative examples of cost sharing groups and alternative delivery structures.
