Published on the 08/09/2009 | Written by Newsdesk
AUT joins University of Auckland and Waikato University as a third local participant in the ‘hands-on’ software education initiative…
The Business School at Auckland’s AUT University has joined SAP’s University Alliances Program (UAP).
The SAP UAP is a global initiative providing university academics with tools and resources to teach students about integrated business processes and strategic thinking.
Dr Felix Tan, Professor of Information Systems and Chair of Business Information System at AUT, says the university is planning to launch a new Business Information Systems major within the Bachelor of Business programme in 2010.
“The new major will produce business graduates who can combine an understanding of a company’s business systems, processes and information needs with the awareness of how these technologies can be used to improve processes and compete locally and globally through the efficient and effective use of information and information systems and related emerging technologies,” says Professor Tan.
“The use of SAP’s enterprise software will help students better understand the concepts introduced in the classroom, enabling them to put theory to practice through demonstrations, exercises, problem-solving, and case studies,” he says.
“Initially we plan to use SAP to also support teaching accounting and possibly operations/supply chain management. We hope that staff members from other disciplines will come to appreciate how an ERP system can help students better understand how a business can optimise key processes such as human resources management, customer relationship management, as well as sales and distribution along with their finance systems.”
Graeme Riley, SAP New Zealand’s managing director, says information and communication technologies are increasing important in the workplace.
“Employers look for business graduates who understand an organisation’s business systems, processes and information needs. However it’s more compelling if the graduate also grasps how these technologies can be used to improve processes and compete locally and globally through the efficient and effective use of information and information systems,” says Riley.
The SAP UAP applies to business, accounting, information technology, and information systems undergraduate and post-graduate courses.
There are now three UAP members in New Zealand: AUT University, University of Auckland, and Waikato University.
The objective of the programme is to incorporate SAP software into undergraduate and post graduate courses of study so that students may be exposed to the latest SAP knowledge and skills.
Internationally, the programme provides up to 175,000 students every year with hands-on SAP software experience as part of their degree.
