The Conference on University Purchasing (COUP), is being hosted in Canterbury by the University from 8-10 September 2015.
COUP is held at a different institution every two years and will see almost 300 delegates attending from HEI’s across the UK and Ireland, with some from further afield.
As hosts, University staff have free access to seminars and the exhibition.
Seminars
Seminars are taking place in Keynes on 9-10 September.
The purchasing specific seminars include:
- Understanding construction procurement;
- Contract drafting skills;
- Accessing and using framework agreements;
- Public Contract regulations 2015, legal changes;
- How to negotiate;
- Using KPI’s to manage supplier; and
- Estates and Construction procurement.
Some of the non-purchasing highlights include a session on ‘Making Teams Work’ presented by Tim LeLean who many of you may know, others include:
- Positive communication skills;
- Influencing skills; and
- Unlocking your potential.
You can turn up for the seminars in any of the Lecture Theatres without booking, but if you are intending to go to one held in a seminar room, please contact Don Bowman as space may be limited.
Exhibition
The supplier exhibition has over 90 stands and will be held in the three main Sports Halls in the Sports Centre. The entrance will be through the glass doors on the side of the Sports Centre, facing Stacey/Enterprise Hub buildings. The exhibition and the suppliers attending will be available to Kent staff during the following times:
Wednesday 9 September 11.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00
Thursday 10 September 09.30-11.00 and 14.00-15.00
Many of the University suppliers will be attending, including:
- Fisher Scientific
- Office Depot
- RS Components
- SLS
- UPP
- XMA
If you would like to know more, you can visit the website at www.coup.ac.uk or contact d.bowman@kent.ac.uk or purchasing@kent.ac.uk