The SAP University Alliances programme enables faculty to explore SAP's enterprise software and devise new and interesting ways to underscore key concepts taught in business consulting, computing, operations, strategic management, finance, software engineering and others.

The programme provides students with access to world class tools that stimulate their understanding of theoretical concepts, perceive how real world enterprises use the concepts they are being taught and improve their chances of obtaining a highly rewarding job upon graduation.

Faculty and students can explore many different facets of SAP as the system provides flexibility enough to reinforce a wide range of subjects. Examples of current use include using SAP to teach project management in an engineering environment, operations and manufacturing execution in an automotive environment, human computer interaction in a computing science school, ERP concepts, supply chain management and procurement in a business school and human / process organisation in the context of organisational behaviour. Advanced users also teach systems integration, business process re-engineering and balanced scorecard.

The core program consists of:

• Providing access to SAP ERP and a wide range of other SAP products such as Business Intelligence, Supply Chain Management and Enterprise Portal
• Providing a hosting mechanism whereby universities only have to install clients at their location – servers, mirrors, datasets and backup are all handled remotely
• Providing software and datasets that can be drawn from immediately, thereby reducing the amount of effort required to be up and running
• Proving flexibility for universities so that those that wish to create their own curricula can do so, and at their own pace
• Supporting the development of innovative remote and classroom-based e-learning
• Providing access to a global network of academic researchers and professional educators on topics addressing management information systems, school curriculum development, e-business, business process /technology integration, ICT strategy and e-learning among others
• Providing staff training through workshops and even SAP Certifications
• Providing access to presentations, guest lectures and training materials that enable schools to take full advantage of the program without needing to invest in new systems and software, training or materials
• Providing forums to bring together members of the programme to debate, share ideas, pursue publishing routes and devise new and interesting ways to reach out to students
• Enabling universities to select components of the program of greatest relevance to them, their students, their local economies and partners