Audit finds Melbourne Uni bungled computer procurement

The acting auditor-general has found that the University of Melbourne bungled the investment process for a $100 million computer initiative after failing to undertake proper procurement process.

The finding uncovered that the university procurement process attracted just one capable company willing to partner with the university for the Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative.

The initiative, due to be completed in 2013, aims to create computer centres ranked in the top 10 life sciences research facilities in the world.

The state government funded $50 million of the project, with the university, other public research bodies and a private company covering the remainder.

"The procurement was not well planned and the university is not able to demonstrate it represented value for money," acting auditor-general peter Frost said in a recent report to parliament.

Read more here.