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play is integral to the operations at the department, Itani has witnessed AUB. “As a department, our ultimate how procurement has changed at goal is to provide a centre of expertise, AUB over the years. “Purchasing provide superior value to our university as a function was perceived as users and optimise the performance an accessory component in the of the organisation. Today we are university and was merely playing engaged with the users and the a servicing role,” Itani comments. faculty members from the initial Since early 2013, major changes have phases of when they identify their been introduced to the department needs,” Itani advises. “We are to address the challenges, providing to them guidance such as the need to and support through manage and control The American University all the phases of the the large database of Beirut is the oldest purchasing process.” of the suppliers university in Lebanon and Indeed, the and cope with the one of the oldest in the concept of optimum rapidly changing region. It was founded in value for money has technological become embedded advancement in everyday decisionin the field of IT, making management consolidate and centralise for all aspects of AUB contracting activity, and expenditure. “Our focus shifted develop a customer service section. towards improving the quality and “In order to address all these timeliness of our services, installing needs, we decided to restructure best practices, and increasing the organisation of the department,” awareness and use throughout Itani explains. The transformation the university,” remarks Itani. started by changing the name of the department from purchasing Major changes to procurement and contract With 28 years’ experience within administration. “The change
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