College of Business invited Mr. Richard Kupisz to be part of the Executive Lecture Series. Mr. Richard is the Senior Advisor at National Center for Privatization & Public-Private Partnerships (NCP).
The lecture titled “Private Sector Participation Concepts” was presented to the audience and College of Business students. It took place on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, in the Lecture Theatre (M) from 12:00 to 12:50 PM.
Mr. Richard commenced the lecture by providing an overview of two key approaches to integrating private sector involvement in public services: Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and privatization. He defined PPPs as collaborative agreements between government entities and private organizations, designed to enhance service delivery by combining public accountability with private sector efficiency. This model is a better way for the government to handle public projects. Unlike traditional government contracts, which focus only on construction, PPP contracts cover both building and managing services for many years. The Independent Water Project in Dammam is a good example of a PPP. This means the private companies are more invested in making sure the projects run well because their payment depends on how they perform.
While privatization involves transferring ownership or management of public services to private entities. Privatization can lead to increased efficiency and innovation, it also raises concerns about accessibility, equity, and the potential profit-driven motives of private companies. An example of that is Saudia Catering Services.
Understanding the distinctions between these two approaches is crucial for policymakers, as each has distinct implications for service delivery and public welfare. It also plays a major role in a successful implementation of these concepts, emphasizing the importance of clear policies, stakeholder engagement, and robust evaluation mechanisms. Effective implementation requires careful planning and consideration of local contexts, ensuring that both PPPs and privatization align with the broad goals of public services.
The lecture is part of College of Business Executive Lecture Series. It provides Alfaisal University students and guests from the business community the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s leading executives and leaders as they talk about their experiences. College of Business sponsors the weekly Executive Lecture Series to bridge the gap between the world of leadership and business education.
