Development Economics (QSB 4223)

Lecturer name: Mr Ho June Khai & Ms Dianne Kok Hui Wei

Lecture: Every Wednesday 8am-11am

Tutorial: Every Thursday 12pm-1pm

Interpret what I have learnt

This module covers:-

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Property Development

Chapter 3: Property Investment

Chapter 4: Development Appraisal

Chapter 5: Factors in Property Development

Chapter 8: Development Finance

There are 1 assignments in this module, combination of group and individual assignment:

Assignment 1: This assignment is in form one group assignment combine with one individual assignment. The assignment is about analyse the number of units of the houses can be built for the proposed development project with financial appraisal using Residue Method of Valuation based on the "Sell then Build" concept comprising of monthly and quarterly cash flow.

Learning outcome for this module:

Throughout this assignment was taken out, I had learnt about how to build up a complete cash flow. I found it interesting  and useful for my knowledge as well. The lecturers have really crack my mind in the whole subject and assignment given, although it was tough to understand at the beginning, yet I try to figure it out and understand the theory by myself. This subject is combination of calculation and theory. The theory part is quite lengthy to study, and I learnt how to search main point from the paragraph. This is the actual learning outcome I gained and I appreciate a lot for both lecturers sharing the knowledge and guide me.

My Future Plan

The learning outcome for this subject is basically  how to procure the project within the budget limit and client satisfaction based on the concept of "Sell-then-Build" and "Build-then-Sell". To acquire the cost control tool and procedure for the project, from this it involved calculation for the value earned today and future.  In this lesson, I hope that I can plan my future investment as well as possible which taught in the lecture.  Also I will have better idea to invest property or land in future, this is useful in the real life situation that people are facing everyday and everywhere.

Cost Value Engineering (QSB 4214)

Lecturer name: Mr Lee Wing Tey
Lecture: Every Tuesday 1pm-3pm
Tutorial: Every Thursday 10am-12pm




Interpret what I have learnt  
This module covers:-
Chapter 1:Introduction
Chapter 2:Definition of value management
Chapter 3:History and Philosophy of value engineering
Chapter 4:Distinction between value engineering/ value management/ value analysis
Chapter 5:Concept of Value, Cost, Function and Worth
Chapter 6:Unnecessary cost
Chapter 7:Implementation of value management 
Chapter 8&8b: Value management tools and techniques 
Chapter 9:The Facilitator
Chapter 10: Job plan and workshop
Chapter 11:Benefit of value engineering/ management - financial and non-financial
Chapter 12:Problems and constraints of value engineering/ management


Only 1 group assignments in this module

Assignment 1: This assignment is a case study report for project implementing value management in the construction industry. The report should includes primary purpose and description of the study, functional analysis, sketches before and after proposed changes, selection of alternatives, cost analysis, action plan, conclusion and recommendation.

Learning outcome for this module:

Throughout this 14 weeks of learning for this subject, I have learnt on how to finance a company with implementation of value management. Furthermore, VM is a critical to the success of projects as it provides a basis for improving value for money in construction (Ashworth & Hogg 2000).

My Future Plan

To be a well prepared QS, cost value management is very important for a QS to finance the project so that the project is within client expectation. The assignment given is to build up my knowledge on how to forecast on cost analysis for a project with a higher value without reduce its quality to achieve an optimal balance between time, cost and quality. I hope that I can do well in my future as a QS to provides a basis for improving value for money in construction projects.

Construction Law (QSB 4414)

Lecturer name: Sr Eddie Lim Sek Cheon
Lecture: Every Tuesday 9am-12pm
Tutorial: Every Wednesday 1pm-2pm

Interpret what I have learnt

This module covers:-
Chapter 1: Building Contracts - General Principles & Formation of Contract
Chapter 2: The Standard Form of Building Contract
Chapter 3: Breach of Contract - Remedies
Chapter 4: Contractual Claims
Chapter 5: Torts - Negligence Claims
Chapter 6: Law relating to Payments
Chapter 7: Subcotractors & Suplliers - Collateral Contracts
Chapter 8: Dispute Resolution - Litigation/ Arbitration/ Adjudication/ Mediation
Chapter 9: Written Documents - Term of Contract
Chapter 10: Obligations of Parties in Construction & QS Consultantcy Agreemennt
Chapter 11: Law relating to Land - National Land Code
Chapter 12: Construction Statutes - Uniform Building By-Laws/ Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974

There are 2 assignments in this module, both assignments are in group:
Assignment 1: This assignment is in form of seminar. Each seminar will be given approximately 15 minutes to present the topic. It is given 1 week to prepared on the topic after lectured.

Assignment 2: Assessment on Contractual Claims with supporting contractual/ legal entitlement
The learning outcome for this assignment is to assess on real projects upon contractor's submission for loss & expenses claim due termination of contract


Learning outcome for this module:

I had gained the knowledge of contractual procedure between plaintiff and defendant. The circumstances on each case law to remedied the injured party suffered loss or damage arised naturally due to the effect of other party. Moreover, the defendant should give rise on duty of care to the plaintiff, if the defendant failed to owed duty of care to the plaintiff, and it caused plaintiff suffered reasonable loss or damage arising naturally by the defendant's conduct. Therefore, the plaintiff is entitled to get compensation from the defendant.



My Future Plan

I hope that what I had learnt in this module, it able to apply on my future career. As a QS, contract law is important during construction period whenever either party interferes the work progress and causing the project to be delayed.

Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM)

8th July 2013

Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Venue: LT3

Speaker: Sharifah Noraini Noreen Syed Ibrahim Al-Jamalullail (Co-chair)

 

Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM) – Towards a better QS profession

The seminar covers:-

1. Introduction of BIM
2. BIM adoption
3. Why BIM by QS?
4. Benefit of BIM
5. What is not BIM? 2D, 3D without information
6. Barriers of BIM - People, Technology and organisation
7. Singapore roadmap of BIM 
8. and many more... ...

BIM adoption:

BIM as an intergrated process to produce, communicate & analyze building models

BIM is about people, processes & technology

BIM as multilayered system with technical parts and social parts

Benefits of BIM to QS

Throughout projects lifecycle, costing exercise such as taking offs, counting and measuring can be speedily and consistently conducted by using BIM whereby changes are easily accommodated.

This BIM software actually minimise the miserable overtime life for QS. I wish to have the chance to learn and adopt BIM in my future career path. Many people says the after implementing BIM, QS will extinct. This is not 100% true, whilst, QS role is not only doing measurement and BQ but many other roles such feasibility study, interim valuation, assess VO, final account, etc.

VIVA

5th July 2013

Time: 8.30am - 10.30am
Venue: LT11

In the early morning, I well prepared myself with formal attire to prepare my presentation. The night before, I had a 'good' dream of I'm the first person to present my viva. When I arrived class, my 'dream' comes true! oh no, I'm getting more nervous. My topic for today is "FACTORS OF CONTRACTOR'S NON COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS IN MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY". Fortunately, thanks god lead me through the presentation successfully, I speaks like usual and share my research to all my classmates. Mr Leong commented on my Facebook post saying "Survived", I'm so glad to hear that! 

There are 7 "lucky" persons to represent each group to present on his/her research. Each person given 20 minutes to present. Unfortunately, I've over the time limit and I cant share the external information about the Penang 2nd Bridge collapse news to all. 24km long Penang bridge and it costs 4.2 billion, it is the longest bridge in Asia. Somehow due to the structure failure for poor formwork support and unable to withstand the concrete load so it collapsed.

After everyone had presented. It's time to have group photo among my thesis group (Puan Liza). We were struggling and work hard throughout the whole year for TODAY~~ 

Puan Liza's group! =)

Class photo.. Everyone show 'Thumb' for Semester 6. Yeah!!

CIPAA & QS Practice in Consultancy

11th June 2013

First session
Time: 11am-12pm
Venue: LT12
Speaker: Mr Loo Ming Chee

"Malaysian Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act (CIPAA)"

CIDB has been given mandate by the industry stakeholders to initiate and embark on the CIPAA development. Many consultative forums have been held to ensure all needs of the stakeholders have been addressed and eventually enable them to benefit from CIPAA.

Purpose of CIPAA

1. To Facilitate Regular and Timely Payment
2. To Provide a Mechanism for Speedy Dispute Resolution Through Adjudication
3. To Provide Remedies for the Recovery of Payment in the Construction Industry

Remedies provided under CIPAA

1. Right to suspend or reduce the rate of progress of the construction work provided notice is given. Party is entitled to fair and reasonable extension of time to complete his obligations under the contract after being paid. 
2. Right to request for direct payment from the principal of the party owing the monies, and the principal shall pay the amount

Second session

Time : 12pm-1pm

Venue: LT12

Speaker: Mr Lim Soon Cheng

"Quantity Surveyors in Consultancy Practices"

Pre-contract services

1. preparing budgetary estimates & cost planning
2. advising on contract conditions
3. advising on fixing target budget costs
4. preparing suitable tender documents for inviting tenders
5. examining, analysing and reporting on tenders received
6. advising and assisting the M&E consultants in the documentation of sub-contract tenders to ensure consistency
7. preparing contract documents for signature

Post-contract services

1.  advising on post-contract administrative procedures
2. vetting insurance policies and bank guarantees
3. vetting sub-contract documents prepared by other consultants
4. cost monitoring of expenditure against established budgets
5. preparing project financial statements and cost reports
6. computing cost effect of variations and changes and advising on cost savings
7. carrying out valuation and preparing interim payment certificates
8. finalising and agreeing claims by the main contractors and sub-contractors
9. setting and compiling final accounts

E-Portfolio Briefing

3rd June 2013

Time: 1.30pm-2.30pm
Venue: E7.04-08
Speaker: Mr Soon Lam Tatt

How to do E-Portfolio in Blog!

It's sound interesting to do portfolio in Blog. Previously, last few semester, it is compulsory to have it printed in A3 paper somemore in glossy paper to improve the appearance and makes it look beautiful. BUT it is very EXPENSIVE. It costs me more than RM50 to print it in colour for every semester. 

Last semester, the lecturers are considering the complaint from students that it is very costly to print A3 colour portfolios. And it was improved to submit softcopy only. Wow, it saves pretty much cost! 

Well, for the current semester, it much more advance by creating a own blog for portfolios. It sound great! With the advancement of technologies, everybody are using blogger now. It doesn't need any cost and it's Free to use. 

Unfortunately, I'm in the last semester but I still the chance to enjoy all kind of methods for portfolios. It is quite interesting too. Hopefully this method works well. =)  

Tracer Study

06.06.2013

Time: 3pm

Venue: D4.15

It is compulsory to all Final Year Semester 6 students. "Tracer Study" consist of about 200 questions of questionnaire on student's survey. This programme started in 2012 by Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is to ensure that university graduates achieved high quality learning throughout 3 years of Bachelor degree in Quantity Surveying (Honours).

"Tracer Study" is important to the universities and also students. It contributes 35% from the students survey questionnaire, 17% from the employer and the balance of 48% from Taylor's University.

BIM talk

2nd May 2013

Time: 3pm-4pm
Speaker: From Brunsfield Group

Introduction to BIM to Malaysia 

Building information modeling (BIM) is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. The resulting building information models become shared knowledge resources to support decision-making about a facility from earliest conceptual stages, through design and construction, through its operational life and eventual demolition.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an intelligent model-–based process that provides insight for creating and managing building and infrastructure projects faster, more economically, and with less environmental impact. Autodesk BIM software includes a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for design, visualization, simulation, and collaboration that uses the rich information in the intelligent model to inform better decision-making and break down the barriers to better business.

 

Please visit the link below to get more detail information:- 

http://usa.autodesk.com/building-information-modeling/about-bim/ 

RICS CONFERENCE: TECHNOLOGIES OF TOMORROW

RICS - RISM - AALSM 

INTERNATIONAL SURVEYING CONFERENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATE 2013

Date: 19 & 20 April 2013

Time: 9.00pm to 6.00pm

Venue: Lecture Theatre 12, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus

"Empowering Young Surveyors: Technologies of Tomorrow"

This is the first time I participate in RICS conference. It have lots of fun actually with all my classmates and also other coursemates from other universities such as UM, UTM, USM, UiTM, UTAR, Huazhong University, Tongji University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Chongqing University. So glad to have the chance to know each other from Local University, China and Hong Kong University. I appreciate it very much Taylor's University is the host for Year 2013.  I enjoy it very much and my batch was very lucky to have RICS Conference successfully organised.

Day 1: Arrival of Participants, Funfair, Exhibition for Career Booth, Dinner & Performance night

This is the short video clips of the happenings in Day 1

Day 2: Speech by VIP, Students presenting papers

 Ms Ang is giving brief introduction of welcome the arrival of participants

 

Best performers goes to TAYLOR'S UNIVERSITY

Sze Jun Li presenting her paper "Implementation of Gated communities in Klang Valley"

Low Siong An presenting his paper "Productivity of Labour in Malaysia Building Construction Site"


Wong Lin Chiang presenting his paper " The Adoption of Technology in Small Medium Enterprise in The Malaysian Construction Industry"

Random picture taken by Hocan Lai! He loves taking pictures!