Building Economics

• Acknowledgement

I would like to give a special thank you shout out to Sr. Dianne Kok Hui Wei for assigning and guiding us through the project and throughout the course of the module. She has given us this opportunity to produce this report and helped us understand more on the related matter regarding Building Economics.

• Module Synopsis

This module provides an overview of the Quantity Surveyor's role during pre tender stage of development. I have also been introduced to the practical situations of the various methods of controlling the cost of buildings at design stage. I also had been taught about the relationship between building morphology, design variables and life cycle costing of a building. Lastly, I also had the privilege to learn and apply information technology in cost planning.

• Module Teaching Objectives

The teaching objectives of this subject are:

1. To develop an understanding towards the nature, content and significance of cost control, cost planning and the roles of the members of the project team in fulfilling the client's needs.
2. To develop awareness of the effect of design variables to the economical sense of a project and to understand in a more thorough manner of the role of a quantity surveyor in pre and post contract stages.

• Assignment

The assignment given to us required a proposal on materials to use for a plot of land in Kuala Lumpur, which also included demolition work to existing building on said land. The proposal demanded a benchmark project for the use of reference to our main design of the proposed building. Rates were also required to be obtained from many sources to get the breakdown cost of the project. Upon completion to the report of the project, we were asked to present our findings as a group with the assist of slides conclusive of breakdown of facts and figures.

• Module Learning Outcome

Upon a successful completion to this module, I was able to:

1. Identify the roles and responsibilities of Quantity Surveyors in the overall development process and to match the relationship between cost and design to the outcome value.
2. Explain various methods of pre-tender estimating.
3. Outline the importance of cost studies to enhance the role of a Quantity Surveyor in a development process of a project.
4. Produce an estimate at pre-tender stage, cost plan based on historical data and S-curve in producing financial planning to a project.

Research Methodology

• Acknowledgement

I would like to give a special thank you shout out to Dr Myzatul Aishah in helping and guiding me through the research methodology module. She has given us this opportunity to produce the research proposal and literature review which is related to my chosen topic. She has assisted us by giving us information on how to proceed in order to elaborate and complete the research proposal and literature review within the the course of this subject.

• Module Synopsis

The module introduces us to academic research and provides more understanding of how to carry out a research. The module covers the process and techniques of research, research design, identification of research areas and the preparation of research proposal. At the end of the course, students should be able to identify issues, problems and area of research, identify relevant data and information required for the research, develop data collection techniques, design research process and prepare our research proposal. Ability to seek for information from a variety of sources, open to new ideas and have the capacity for self-directed learning, look for alternative ideas and solutions, present information and express ideas clearly, effectively and confidently and act ethically with integrity and social responsibilies to the highest degree.

• Module Teaching Objectives

The aim of this research is to understand the conundrums faced by Quantity Surveying fresh graduates during their early career. The following objectives are set in order to achieve the aim of the research;

1. To identify the responsibilities and the current practices of a Quantity Surveyor.
2. To study the factors influencing QS work adversities for newly appointed graduates and establishing the qualities needed to be a competent Quantity Surveyor.
3. To evaluate the solutions to the conundrums faced by QS graduates during their early career.

• Module Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the module, I have learned and understand about:

1. Identify issues and problems leading to the development of the subject area and objectives of research.
2. Review literatures
3. Prepare a viable proposal for an academic research.

Building Services and Civil Engineering Quantities

• Acknowledgement

I would like to give a special thank you shout out to Mr Simon and Ms Laura in helping and guiding me through Building Services and Civil Engineering Quantities module, which is a continuation for the measurement subject whereby focus are more on the area of services such as cold water supply, electrical distribution, train railways, and etc . She has given us this opportunity to produce the research proposal and literature review which is related to my chosen topic. She has assisted us by giving us information on how to proceed in order to elaborate and complete the research proposal and literature review within the the course of this subject.

• Module Teaching Objectives

After completion of this module, I understand how to:

1. To familiarize with the nature of M&E and C&S engineering works.
2. The ability to locate, extract and analyse data from multiple sources including drawn information.
3. The ability to question standard practice and to apply professional judgement on making recommendation and solving problems for practices in M&E and C&S engineering works.

• Assignments

The assignment was conducted in a form of a test where there were two parts given. The first part of the test were to complete an earthwork filling work within the given time. The second part of the test was an individual work whereby the usage of the Malaysian Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (MYCESMM) was vital in solving the questions given.

• Reflection

After completing this syllabus, I am able to do measurements properly and accurately for most of the M&E and C&S engineering works such as electrical work, cold water plumbing, railways, earthworks and so on. I was also able to obtain the knowledge in putting what i learn into practice, locate, ext rate, synthesis and utilize information effectively. I had also acquire teamwork skills in doing the first test as well which was very vital when discussing in solving the earthwork question.

Financial Management

• Module Synopsis

This module introduces us students to the principles and practices of financial management for a business. It emphasized the core concepts from the point of view of a business manager trying to maximize the value of his or her firm. To that end, the topics covered include understanding financial reports, financial forecasting, capital structure and financing options, capital budgeting and managing working capital. In addition, the course stresses that important business decisions require inputs from all departments in a firm and are not the exclusive domain of the finance professional. Furthermore, stress is made that when striving to maximize the firms's value, managers have a responsibility to behave within ethical constraints.

• Module Teaching Objectives

After completing this module, I have now understand how to:

1. Understand the core principles and practices of financial management in maximizing the value of a firm.
2. Appraise capital investment proposals using various methods of capital budgeting.
3. Forecast and manage the cash flows of a business.

• Assignment

This module has only one assignment. The assignment given by our lecturer requires us to form a group of 7 members whereby a report has to be prepared on the analysis of the annual reports of Sycal Ventures Bhd. After conclusion to the report, all of the groups formed were asked to present on the findings that we have obtained. This assignment is designed to enable us to improve our analytical and interpretation skills and also trains us to analyse and understand annual reports accurately and efficiently.

• Reflection

In this module, we get to have a better understanding on the core principles and practices of financial management which is the efforts in maximizing the value of the firm. We are able to project the financial situation for the coming years by preparing pro forma cash budget, pro forma income statement and pro forma balance sheet. This subject has helped enhance our financial managing skills and also help acquire a more accurate and result.

Community Service Initiative

• Acknowledgement 

I would like to give a warm thank you to my lecturer, Ms. Tay Shir Men for assigning and guiding us through this module. She has helped us a lot in producing this report and to learn and understand more on matters relating to Community Service.

• Module Synopsis

This module has been designed to help foster the sense of care and concern among students for the environment that we live in. This module also develops a student's personal and social responsibility. They will learn through participating in a community service experience and will have the opportunity to use their skills and knowledge in real-life situations.

• Module Objectives

1. To breed a sense of Social Responsibility in students.
2. To promote the caring and respecting culture to the society.
3. To create a more responsible set of people living among our country.
4. To understand people in relation to the community that they live in.

• Group Assignment

Throughout a group of 27 members, we were assigned to visit an Orphanage. We were given the chance to choose a particular place ourselves so we have decided to visit "Ti-Ratana Welfare Society" in Kuala Lumpur. We prepared all the games for the children to take part in and exposing them to real life working experience and this could maybe help them set an ambition in life. We have prepared 3 different types of role playing games which includes the hospital game, construction game and the fashion show. Besides that, we were also given funds by the University to be able to purchase all the items needed to undergo all the activities for the event. The items purchased includes necessities like food stocks and toothbrushes and toothpastes.  This event has also helped me realise the importance of teamwork as it is incredibly impossible to carry out the works of this event successfully without each members of the team.

• Photos of Ti-Ratana Visit and the activities taken place.

Professional Practice 2

• Acknowledgement

Special thank you shout out to my lecturer Mr Eddie Lim Sek Cheon for guiding us throughout this module. Mr Eddie has been really helpful in giving us opportunities to produce this report and helped us understand more on the related matter on Professional Practice.

• Module Synopsis

The module provides an overview of professional and contractual responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor in the consultancy setup from the inception stage to the final account and occupational stage. the subject focuses on the importance of a clear understanding of the organisation and contract administration of quantity surveying practices and the legal and contractual procedures in relation to built environment.

• Module Teaching Objectives

1. To have sufficient knowledge and understanding on the administration of construction contracts and the application of particular contract clauses relating to the roles and responsibilities of the parties to the contract especially the Quantity Surveyor.
2. To develop awareness of the provisions of the Standard Contract forms related to valuations and certificates, instructions and variations, daywork rates and final accounts, extension of time and loss and expenses.
3. To interpret sub-contracts documents relating to roles and responsibilities of the main contractor and subcontractors including the limits and constraint of such procedures.

• Module Learning Outcome

Upon completion of the subject, I am able to:

1. Define the roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in construction contracts in relation to particular clauses in the contract.
2. Describing team dynamics, power of teams and teamwork in construction contracts.
3. Explain the various construction contracts, its limitations and constraints and define issues in interpreting the contract clauses of construction contract.

Professional Practice 1

This subject is taught by Mr Ramar A/L Subramaniam. Throughout this module, we gained the understanding on both the contractor and consultant quantity surveyor's responsibilites from the feasibility to final account stage. The lectures and tutorial classes held by Mr Ramar has helped me understand more on the scope of work of a QS and help develop awareness on the provisionals of the Standard Contract form related to constructions. In this module, we are more focused on PAM Contract 2006. Mr Ramar also helps us to understand more on the nature of tender and procurement methods in the construction industry which i personally believe would help me move forward in terms of embedding myself in the construction world. During the mid term exam of Professional Practice 1, we were tested on the role as a quantity surveyor, tender method and procedure and also types of procurement. As for the assignment, we are assigned to be paired in a group of 2 to recommend our client, Taylor's Uni, on how to choose the types of tendering and procurement system being used to build a 5 storied car park. Pros and cons were made to derive to a recommendation to Taylor's Uni on which methods to use.

PAM Contract Cover

Learning Outcome:

Throughout the whole course of this subject, I have been able to understand more on how the subjects I learn throughout my Diploma and partially my Degree days, relate to what I will be doing if I ever want to become a chartered Quantity Surveyor. Besides that, I was also able to learn the various tendering process and procurement methods available in the industry. In addition, I also gained the knowledge regarding EoT, LAD, Insurance, Interim Valuations, Claims, PC Sum, Provisional Sum and etc. Personally, I like this subject because it gives me a little idea on the different roles a Quantity Surveyor could play a part on a project from inception to completion stage.