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YQSG Newsletter 2012 First Issue

YQSG Program 2011 Successfully completed............he second Young QS Group (YQSG) Program was held at Palm Beach Hotel

– Mount Lavinia on 23-July-20��. This event was one of the main events of the �5th Congress of Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS) held in Colombo-Sri Lanka. Young quantity surveyors and students (about 50 numbers of participants) from 08 countries participated in this event. The program consisted of several important sub events where Young quantity surveyors and quantity surveying students participated which enabled them to share their experiences and achievements.

This event was a splendid opportunity for young quantity surveyors and students to get acquainted, exchange and network with other countries of the PAQS enhancing corporation and synergy between and among them. This one day program included speeches and presentation from each country member in the morning, city tour in the afternoon with dinner party at night.

Young Quantity Surveyors Group (YQSG)of the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS)

Participating Member: Brunei Page 8

Participating Member: China Page 9

Participating Member: Hong Kong Page 10

Participating Member: Japan Page 11

Participating Member: MalaysiaPage 12

Participating Member: PhillipinesPage 13

Participating Member: Singapore Page 14

Participating Member: Sri LankaPage 15

YQSG Programme 2012- Brunei Page 16

YQSG Committee /ContactsPage 17 - 18

Editor & Designer: About YQSGPage 2

Chairman’s Message Page 3

YQSG Programme 2011 - Sri Lanka Page 4

The PAQS-IWATA Foundation Travelling ScholarshipPage 5-6

Participating Member: AustraliaPage 7

Main speech of the program was made by Congress Chairperson - Prof. Chitra Weddikkara. As the first item of the event program, representatives from each country made their presentations explaining the Quantity Surveying profession and construction industry in their countries. There were several games designed to allow the participants to interact together while attending to the games. After the lunch at Palm Beach Hotel, participants attended a city tour to visit ‘Independence Memorial Hall’ and

‘Gangarama Temple’ in Colombo. Following the city tour, the participants had shopping and returned back to the Hotel for the dinner. Dinner was served at Palm Beach Hotel and a DJ party was arranged after dinner.

This event was completed successfully, allowing the Young Quantity Surveyors to interact each other and share the knowledge, experience in different countries.

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Prasath Sanjeewa Institute of Quantity Surveyors-Sri Lanka Email: prasathsanjeewa@yahoo.com

Reported by Prasath Sanjeewa Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka

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About PAQS - YQSG

The Current Members of PAQS are:

FULL MEMBER

- Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

- Building Surveyors Institute of Japan (BSIJ)

- Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS)

- China Engineering Cost Association (CECA)

- The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS)

- New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)

- Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers (SISV)

- Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka (IQSSL)

- The Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM)

The Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS) is an international association of national organizations representing Quantity Surveyors in the Asia and Western Pacific region.

The Missions of the PAQS are:

- The promotion of the practice of quantity Surveying (QS) in the region.

- The promotion of “best practice” for QS in the region.

- The promotion of dialogue between member organizations.

- Encouragement of regional cooperation in the practice of QS.

- Fostering of research appropriate to the better understanding of building practice in the region.

- Rendering of assistance to members of member organizations working in each other’s countries.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

- Fiji Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FIQS)

- Institution of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects, Brunei (PUJA)

- Philippine Institute of Certified Quantity Surveyors (PICQS)

OBSERVER MEMBER

- Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS)

On 15 August 2009, young members from PAQS country members attended the Sustainability Committee Meeting at Kuala Lumpur and formed the first Young Quantity Surveyors Group committee. This committee was subsequently appointed by the PAQS Board under PAQS Constitution article 3.2.

Quantity surveying students and young members under 40 year of age and who are from the country members are encouraged to join YQSG.

The first YQSG programme was held from 23rd to 24th July 2010 before the main PAQS Congress. 17 young members include representatives

from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and students from National University of Singapore attended the programme.

Knowledge comes after awareness and with knowledge, effective action could be taken conscientiously and continuously by the younger generation improve the construction industry. At of quantity surveyors to sustain and improve the construction industry. At the same time, it is also believed that YQSG will be able to bring the idea of “international cooperation within the construction industry” to a greater height.

With the sharing of knowledge and network, the construction industry would be able to improve on it’s construction techniques, softwares, operations and Information Technology.

It was noted that the YQSG should be a good vehicle to promote QS as a career choice for school leavers and university students.

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MR JOSEPH CHONG Chairman Young Quantity Surveyors Group 2009 - 2013, PAQS

BSc(Surv)(HKU), MSc(IDM)(HKU), MHKIS, MRICS, RPS(QS), MHKICM, MHKIVM, BEAM PRO

Chairman’s messageWelcome to the 2nd newsletter of the PAQS Young QS Group.

Time flies and we have already completed two PAQS young programs, in Sri Lanka and Singapore respectively. In the last young programme held in Sri Lanka in July 20��, we attracted more participants (almost around 50) and students (from China and Sri Lanka) to join us. We treasured the opportunities to hear the presentations from different counties and exchanged gifts. Also, we visited some tourist attractions of Colombo and had a casual dinner party to mingle together. I would like to thank you again for the hard work of the Young Programme 20�� Organizing Committee for organizing this memorable event for us.

As there is a wider representation in PAQS, we had also more new members to join our committee, including from Philippines and Brunei. A new committee has been formed and reported to the PAQS Board after the 2011 young programme. It is a piece of good news that the PAQS family is expanding and the synergy evolved for the QS profession in the Pacific Region via exchange of knowledge and profession development can be deepened.

The next PAQS Congress will be held in Brunei in July this year. Similar to last 2 years, we will have our one-day young programme before the PAQS Congress. We will have presentations from each country in the morning and site visits in the afternoon. What is different from last year will be a combination of the young programme dinner with the PAQS Welcome Dinner. Students would then have more opportunities to meet the senior members of different countries and understand more about PAQS.

I have been working in Beijing, Capital of China for almost a year. Project management procedures, contract law, contractors’ compliance to the contract and ways of doing things here are much different than in Hong Kong. As an expatriate working here, I found it is meaningful and important to understand the other countries’ QS practice. All of us are now in a globalised environment and there are chances that we may be relocated to work in other countries to grasp the opportunities ahead.

I would like to invite all the young QSs who are reading this message to join our young programme or even join our committee as a stepping stone to have greater involvement in the PAQS family. We need more helping hands to brainstorm and expand our young member network. You are also welcome to join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/ypaqs/ and exchange ideas with each other.

If you have any suggestion or ideas for our Group, you are welcome to contact me at josephhku@gmail.com. Thank you and I wish everyone of you a happy and healthy new year 20�2.

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YQSG Program 2011- Sri lanka

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The PAQS-IWATA Travelling ScholarshipThe PAQS-IWATA Foundation Travelling Scholarship was first established in 2008 in honour of Mr. Toshiyuki Iwata – a quantity surveyor from Japan who although in his eighties, managed to attend all PAQS Congresses until just recently when ill health prevented him. At the 12th PAQS Congress in Canada, the PAQS established this prestigious award to promote the quantity surveying profession and the professional development of young quantity surveyors in the PAQS region.

The topic for the 20�� essay competition was “Cost Management in a World of Financial Adversity and Uncertainty” in conjunction with the 15th PAQS Congress’ theme – Cost Management in a World Emerging from Adversity. As this was a topic that I had great interest in I submitted an essay and was fortunate to be picked as the winner of the 2011 PAQS-Iwata Foundation Travelling Scholarship. In the months leading up to the congress travel arrangements were made and soon I was on the plane heading to Colombo, Sri Lanka for my very first PAQS congress.

After a tiring 14-hours flight (including transit) from Melbourne, I landed in Colombo about 2 a.m. in the morning. All pre-trip excitement was drained away after a long journey from the airport to the hotel and it was nearly 4 a.m. by the time I checked-in at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo Hotel. After a quick rest and breakfast, it was time to register for the PAQS board meeting/congress. As the winner of the essay competition I was allowed to attend the PAQS board meeting as an observer. It was an absolute privilege to sit among the PAQS board members and it was definitely good to finally put faces to

names that I have seen so many times from the PAQS newsletters. Opened and chaired by the outgoing PAQS president, the agenda covered during the board meeting include annual financial reporting, reporting from each of the association countries and a handover to the new board members. The board meeting adjourned for morning tea and after lunch the meeting continued well into the early evening.

The congress officially ascended into a frenzy mode on the following day. Having attended the PAQS board meeting in a smaller meeting room, the official congress was held in the majestic ballroom where fellow international quantity surveyors, students, and professional members of the local construction industry turned out in numbers at the reception for registration. The opening ceremony started once the official guest of honours arrived where a local dance troupe performed a mesmerising Sri Lankan dance to the tune of a thunderous beat of the Kandyan Drum. The IQSSL president’s speech and the PAQS president’s speech were followed by two inspiring speeches by the keynote speaker and the chief guest. Before the delegates adjourned for morning tea and lunch we witnessed the MOU signing between the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka. The MOU signing signalled another major reciprocal agreement achieved by the PAQS.

After the lunch break three parallel plenary sessions got underway where papers of various topics of interest were presented. The specialty dinner organized for the foreign delegates was

held at the Mt. Lavinia Hotel where we had a sumptuous dinner seated by the sea side hut.

Day 2 of the congress continued in a similar pattern with more plenary sessions both in the morning and afternoon. After the plenary sessions we had the closing ceremony in which there was a presentation of the �6th Annual PAQS Congress in Brunei by the PUJA members, a flag handing over ceremony and a presentation of mementos to plenary session chairs. The farewell dinner held in the ballroom was one to remember as the Sri Lankans delegates came out decked in their national costumes. The guests had a wonderful time entertained by both the dinner and the presentation of each members’ countries folk songs and dance.

The following day we joined a free day excursion to Kandy and on the way we stopped and visited the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela. It was a full day trip and by the time we got back to Colombo it was already past dinner time. I had an extra day in Colombo so on the next day before departing to the airport I took a quick tour of the Colombo city in a ‘tut-tut’ trishaw. Overall it was a very good trip and experience. The thrill and excitement of travelling to a brand new country coupled with the golden opportunity to network with fellow quantity surveyors from different countries was truly unforgettable.

By Max SheaYear 2011 Winner of the Scholarship

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

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The PAQS-IWATA Foundation 2011 Travelling Scholarship Competition

“Cost Management in a World of Financial Adversity and Uncertainty”

Abstract

Most economists, including generally conservative bodies such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank described the global financial crisis (GFC) as the worst since the great depression in the 1930s. Two years down the road most economies have embarked on a steep recovery journey but various government stimuluses, funding and other economy recovery programmes are running thin. With the local construction sector slowly recovering and many other regions still in a period of deflation, there has never been greater pressure for cost management professionals to successfully help deliver quality projects within limited budget and tight time frame. The onus is then on the cost management professionals to exercise sound judgement in carrying out independent cost advices, in particular when executing tender comparisons and/or recommendations. Cost managers therefore must perform a complete risk assessment on tender sums that are ‘below-the-markets’ to ensure that clients are getting maximum value for their investments. Traditionally, the industry has seen a common approach to contractual disputes if either party experienced difficulties with their projects. As with tender recommendations, the cost management professionals must be more prudent when assessing contract variations, and also when involved in any dispute resolution, arbitration or judiciary process.

The global financial crisis has also seen how banks and financial institutions have adapted to the changing business landscape and in particular how banks have tighten up credit and lending criteria. Many banks and lending institutions now required property developers to undertake extensive and in-depth cost investigations before giving the green light to new loans. While banks are able to take larger risks when there have an intermediary agent monitoring the financial situation of construction projects, property developers appreciate gaining access to additional funds that they may not be able to obtain without depending on the cost managers. Apart from these added emphasis placed on the cost management profession to deliver quality cost advices, the fallout from the financial adversity and uncertainty has led to a drastic shortage of skilled cost manager, especially in Australia and the Middle East. The economic and financial turmoil engulfing the world marks the first crisis of the current era of globalisation and internationalisation. Tougher economic times are clearly bearing down on businesses. Companies have been forced to re-examine their positioning in the market and the services they offer. As the market shrinks, cost management firms have seen the need to offer a broader range of multi-discipline and diversified services. In Australia another agenda that has generated a lot of attention is the furore from the carbon tax issue. No doubt the carbon price proposal will push up cost of building components by 6 to 10% and put further pressure on housing affordability & property prices Amidst the uncertainties, opportunities have arisen for the cost management profession to help government/industry bodies in the pricing mechanism of the carbon tax and provide cost consultancy in the wake of a likely rise in building materials prices. Since late 2008 and early 2009, various waves of governments’ fiscal-stimulus programmes have been introduced to help drive up the beleaguered construction industry. As governments’ spending wane, there are vast opportunities for cost managers to provide independent cost benchmarking and evaluate whether governments are achieving value for money from these stimulus packages. All in all the financial fall-out holds grave implications for the construction industry and posed significant challenge for the cost management profession. Cost managers have experienced enormous changes to their business landscape and there is an urgent need to respond and adapt to these changes quickly.

2011 Winning Entry by Max Shea (AIQS)

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Participating member: Australia

Reported by Max SheaAustralian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

Email: max.shea@au.rlb.com

The construction industry remains in a holding pattern with business confidence levels depressed and subdued amid a mixed outlook for the Australian economy. The economy grew by a strong 1.2% in the June quarter, largely driven by improved consumer spending. However the unemployment rate jumped from 5.1% in July to 5.3% last month, pushing 40,000 people out of the workforce. Public sector work is diminishing as the last of Federal Government stimulus work is completed, while access to finance and a softening in both commercial and residential demand is hampering growth in the private sector as developers struggle to get projects to market at the height of a deepening U.S debt crisis.

Australian Market Outlook Many small and medium builders are actively seeking work and remain very competitive, with many projects being tendered well below budget. There have been indications of builders attempting to ‘buy work’ by reducing their preliminaries and margins in order to secure future work and to maintain cash flow and staff numbers while certain trade works have experienced heavy discounting driven by competition on the back of limited work load. Tourism-driven regions i.e. Queensland have been particularly affected by the slowdown in tourism caused by a combination of the post-GFC effects, the Queensland flood disaster and high value of the Australian dollar. However on the other hand the strength of the Australian dollar is also driving down the costs of imported materials e.g. joineries, windows, etc. and having a dampening effect on raw materials cost inflation.

In Australia another agenda that has generated a lot of attention is the furore from the carbon tax issue. There has been great political debates over the Gillard’s government plan to put in place the carbon tax and the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and has given rise to much speculations as to the cost effect in building projects and many sectors have questioned the true benefits of these imposed taxes especially when the real cost that the producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have to pay is still very much unknown. The government’s climate change agenda will have major implications to the construction industry. Certainly, the large energy producers and the minerals and metals miners stand to bear the brunt of the impact, which will then be passed down the supply chain. There have been some early indications that the carbon price proposal will push up cost of building components and put further pressure on housing affordability & property prices.

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Reported by Siti Seri Hj Jamil PUJA Surveying Division

Email: ssj8896@yahoo.com

Quantity Surveying ProfessionThere are various places where QS can be found. They can either work in Government or Private Sector. The majority of QS who work in the government agencies are employed in Public Works Department. QS’s are also being employed by other government agencies such as Housing Development Department, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education. In Private Sector, the QS can be employed by QS Consultants, Property Developers, Contractors, Brunei Shell Petroleum, etc.

Decentralisation of Government ProcurementTraditionally, majority of consultant appointment were handled by the Ministry of Development. After the decentralisation of government procurement, the appointment and selection of consultants were manage by the Ministry who own the project. The appointment can be either direct or through expression of interest.

Latest Construction Development in Brunei

LegislationOrders related to Construction Industry i.e Workplace Safety And Health Order, 2009 and Architects,

Participating member: BruneiQuantity Surveying Profession and the Latest Construction Development in Brunei.

Professional Engineers and Quantity Surveyors Order, 2011 have been enacted.

InfrastructureThere is a steady growth in the vehicles population on the road, which prompts the government to improve, upgrade and construct more roads and flyovers. This will help reduce congestion, ease the traffic flow and also improve land connectivity. Flood MitigationIn January 2009, Brunei was affected by natural disaster. The combination of high tide, heavy rainfall, and, inadequate capacity of the urban drainage network in certain areas have caused flooding and landslide especially on flood prone areas. In order to mitigate these problems, the drainage systems has been and continuously being improved and upgraded.

National Housing SchemeThe Government of His Majesty through Department of Housing Development (HDD) has been providing housing for the people through the National Housing Scheme. The mission of HDD is to provide quality and affordable housing facilities for eligible citizens of Brunei Darussalam. Different classes of single storey stilt houses i.e. A, B, C, D and E with different floor areas have been provided

since it was introduced. However, now, due to land shortage, the current and future houses are being replaced with semi-detached and terraced house type.

High Rise BuildingIn Brunei, living in high rise building is not a norm due to its culture. To address the land shortage problem, vertical housing such as flats and condominiums is one solution, along with the appeal of high-density housing. It is hoped that this type of living, in the long term, becomes a norm and so in that sense it will become a standard to adhere to in the future.

Sustainable DevelopmentBrunei is embracing sustainable development by introducing policies to support this initiative. Sustainable design concepts which have been implemented are such as balcony garden, the use of low emission glazing, natural lighting, solar panel, environmental friendly air-conditioning system, etc.

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Participating member: ChinaIn 2011, the development of real estate industry and infrastructure leaded to the construction market booming in China. It brought about the rapid development of quantity surveying industry, and also a requirement of the training of construction labor and professionals.

In July, seven young representatives attended the Young Quantity Surveyors Group program held in Sri Lanka. Ms.Zhang Ruiyuan made a speech about ‘Risk Identification and Allocation in BT Projects’, and Ms. Yin Lin-lin made a speech about ‘Economic Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic Based on Life Cycle Costing’.

In October, a badminton sport activity was organized and support by CECA and local consultancy companies. Most participants were young professionals. The qualifier contest was held at each province, and the finals was held in Wuhan city, the capital of Hubei province.

Reported by Tiang JiangChina Engineering Cost Association (CECA)

Email: tianjiangbj@163.com

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Reported by Joseph Chong Chariman of Promotion Sub Committee

Quantity Surveying Division The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

Email: josephhku@gmail.com

The construction market in Hong Kong is booming and led to difficulty in employing construction professionals and workers.

In July 2011, it was published in newspapers that one of the biggest contractors in Hong Kong jointly organised a tailor-made training-cum-employment project called “Quantity Surveyor Assistant Training Project” with Labour Department and YWCA in Hong Kong, offering 20 vacancies for the post of “Quantity Surveyor Assistant”. However the requirements of these trainees are set very low. Form 5 secondary school leavers can apply for the job after 10 days training and it is a dilemma to judge whether this is a promotion for QS or would cause damage to our QS profession.

In view of the shortage and great demand of new construction workers, the Development Bureau launched the Build Up Training Programme. In 2010, the Financial Secretary has earmarked HK$�00 million to support this Programme and the funding was approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in May 2010. The Build Up

Participating member: Hong Kong

Current Construction and QS Market in Hong Kong

Training Programme will provide enhanced training allowance in selected trades and training courses for new workers to advance their skills and outline a career path for advancement. This could encourage young people to join the industry and give them job opportunities. Consequently, it is expected this Programme could help to nurture a quality construction workforce as a whole. The initiatives include Enhanced Construction Manpower Training Scheme, Senior Construction Workers Trade Management Course, Subsidy for Trade Test , Subsidy for Specified Training Course/Skills Enhanced Course and Enhanced Construction Supervisor/Technician Training Programme. Details can be seen at http://www.buildhk.hk/en/build_prospect/.

Recently a landmark project in Hong Kong – the complex of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government headquarter is completed. The project has adopted four concepts in its design -- “Door always open”, “Land always green”, “Sky will be blue” and “People will be connected”. There will be more new building projects in Hong Kong in new areas planned, including the West Kowlon Central District and Kowlong Bay Office Hub.

The bamboo scaffolders’ daily wage was increased from HK$900 to HK$1,000 a day in September 2011. The union said the demand for the increase in scaffolding workers pay points to hefty government infrastructure budgets and the private sectors’ warm response to Operation Building Bright, a subsidy program to help owners of some �,000 buildings carry out repair works. The union expressed the hope that the pay raise will attract more young workers to the trade saying there is room for further salary increases. On the other hand, since year 2000 the tender price index of both private and public buildings has been increasing. The index would probably continue to rise in the coming few quarters due to great demand.

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Reported by Kenta FukagawaLecturer

Hiroshima International University

Department of Socio-environmental Design

Faculty of Engineering

Email: k-fukaga@it.hirokoku-u.ac.jp

Construction industry in Japan has been involved in the global financial crisis. The demands for building construction including facilities and housings have been inactive especially since the Lehman Shock.

A massive earthquake measuring magnitude 9 hit Japan’s north-eastern region 2:46 PM on March 11th, triggering a huge tsunami along the pacific coast. The tsunami wiped away everything including cars and ships, as well as towns and villages. After the earthquake, an estimated 245,000 people are living in evacuation shelters. The National Police Agency estimated that about 27,000 people were dead or missing. In addition, according to the earthquake, Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant gets in deep trouble. Explosions broke out in the No.1 and No.3 reactors, leading to a partial meltdown of the nuclear fuel. This disaster is Japan’s most severe crisis. The nuclear accident seems calmer at the present than when it happened. However, more radiation keeps being measured in some areas around.

Participating member: Japan

Current Construction and QS market in Japan

For the instauration from the devastation, construction cost is the big issue which is recently again and again discussed in the government. The cost is the thing of which the adequacy is the most important. Means can not be very cheap or very expensive which might sounds going against the capitalism. However, facing the devastation like that, more people in Japan realized the importance of adequacy which could be well managed by QS. According to this matter, BSIJ has several plans.

First, BSIJ has a plan to shift to Public Interest Incorporated Association in 20�2. BSIJ undertakes structural and organizational reform.

Secondly, BSIJ is concerned with membership growth, especially young generation of QS including females and students. BSIJ has started the qualification of quantity surveyor assistant for students in 2009. It is related to the education at higher educational institutions such as universities. 601 students have become quantity surveyor assistants (April �, 20��). BSIJ expects the spread of education.

Thirdly, BSIJ supports the seminars for quantity surveyors and cost managers related to CPD (Continuing Professional Development). BSIJ has started e-Learning of cost school in 2009. As a result, more members of BSIJ in Japan can take part in the school.

Finally, BSIJ promotes the mutual certification of quantity surveyors and has already entered into the agreement between Japan and four countries: Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada and New Zealand.

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Reported by Sr Amnah Salleh, Sr Fadillah Camaluddin,

Sr Shazali Sulaiman Sr Yeap Soon Kiat(Appearing from left to right)

Royal Institution Of Surveyors Malaysia, Quantity Surveying Division’s Junior

Organization

Latest QS Developments in Malaysia

RISM 50th Anniversary Celebration & Royal Status Conferment

On 14 Sep 2011, Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM) to be will be known as Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) as being conferred the Royal status by the Sultan of Selangor YAMM Sultan Sarafuddin Shah.

In 2011, ISM will be 50 years of age, having been formed in 1961, and Council has formed a Special Committee under the Chairmanship of Sr Elvin Fernandez to celebrate the successes of the institution and to link up in a very formal way with the client we serve, the Malaysian public. We will also take this opportunity to look into the future and rebrand our services, again, to serve better the Malaysian public. The Special Committee has already met twice, since its formation in March 2009 and various sub-committees have been formed including for a souvenir book and video, logo design, charity and sports, family events and gotong-royong,merchandise and souvenir items, first day cover/stamp, branch activities the year round, golf tournaments and international seminars and conferences. A special sub-committee has also been set up to secure sponsorship.

Participating member: MalaysiaQuantity Surveying Profession and Latest Developments in Malaysia

The QS International Conference (QSIC), Hard Rock Hotel, Penang 11-12 Oct 2011

With the theme, Rocking Transformation, the QSIC 20�� is the �0th in the series of Quantity Surveying national and international conferences organized annually since 2001. QSIC 2011 is jointly organized by the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia, The Institution of Surveyors Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Public Works Department Malaysia. The conference is also supported.

Appointment of QS consulting firms for government projects through tendering system (SPP2/2011)

As per Ministry of Finance Circular Oct 20��.

CIDB’s National Construction Cost Centre (NCCC)

In early planning stage. Liberalisation of services & Two-Tier Registration with Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM)

Previous QS Developments in Malaysia

Participation in PAQS 2011 Sri Lanka Board Meeting & Conference & YQSG Program 23-27 Jul 2011

11 members from RISM, 11 members from BQSM and 3 from Taylor’s University attended the 5 day event.University Sains Malaysia & Taylor’s University from Malaysia received their accreditation from PAQS Education Board.

Courtesy visit by 8 lecturers & 22 students from School of Construction Technology, University Of Moratuwa, Colombo from 21-25 Sep 2011.

Young Achiever’s Award (YAA) National Final 2010

YAA National Final was successfully hosted at Singgahsana Hotel on the 8th of May 20�0. Thirteen (�3) schools participated

QS Jamboree With Junior Organization (Qs Division) Of Ism

Date: 5th - 7th March 2010

Venue: Taman Rekreasi Alang Sedaya, Gombak Total no. of participants: 170 students and lecturers from 10 universities

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Reported by:Nila Dimaano

History of QS in the Philippines

The Quantity Surveying profession was first introduced in the country by Davis Langdon in 1982 when it had some commissions for one of the projects of Asian Development Bank. However, it became widely known as a profession only in mid 1990’s during the boom of the construction industry locally. Davis Langdon was at the forefront for having an excellent record of providing the highest standards in professional consultancy services and commitment aimed at achieving quality client program objectives. Along with Davis Langdon, other QS international firms have established their own offices in the Philippines like DG Jones & Partners, WT Partnership and Rider Hunt Liacor (now Rider Levett Bucknall).

The QS degree and profession was unknown back then in the Philippines. The degree closely related to Quantity Surveying is BS Civil Engineering (BSCE). BSCE is a 5 year degree course and graduates of it are employed in the Philippines and abroad as Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Cost Estimator, Cost Engineer or Quantity Surveyor.

There are 136 schools offering the Civil Engineering course in the Philippines. However, not one university in the Philippines is offering a QS education. through the partnership between TIP-CCE In 2007, there was an effort to give a Quantity Surveying Training Course school and Davis Langdon and Seah Phil. Inc. Unfortunately the training course did not push through as planned.

Despite the trainings acquired from Davis Langdon and other reputable QS firms, Filipino QS trained Engineers are overlooked by the International QS professional bodies.In fact, for them to become chartered, they still have to undertake an accredited course

Participating member: Philippines

offered by QS recognized professional bodies. In Philippine standards, the costs for enrolling in this course are very expensive. Yet, some are lucky enough to have a company like Davis Langdon to sponsor their QS studies.

With tons of opportunities offered, mainly because of the construction boom in the Middle East and elsewhere abroad, majority of the Filipino QS trained engineers have decided to pursue a career outside the Philippines. Their experiences and trainings from the QS firms have provided them the opportunity to gain employment abroad and acquire international exposure, and that they already have the necessary QS skills to keep them at par with other QS professionals who had formal QS education.

Presently, there are Twenty (20) Filipino QS that have already acquired the chartered status or a mere 4% of the Filipino QS trained Engineers.

The Birth of PICQSThe creation of the Philippine Institute of Certified Quantity Surveyors (PICQS), Inc. was formed primarily from the dream of its Founder, Julie Christie M. dela Cruz to make all the Filipino trained Quantity Surveyors achieve a chartered status with internationally recognized QS professional bodies.

PICQS, Inc. is an all Filipino organization comprised of Members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Members of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), Members of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), Student and Trainee Members of the RICS, Chartered members of internationally recognized QS professional bodies, QS-trained Engineers who are working towards their QS Study, Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and Assessment of Technical Competence (ATC) towards Chartered Membership.

It is an organization open to Filipino Citizens who are QS trained Engineers. Currently, it has around 360 members worldwide with Chapters in UK, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, KSA, SIngapore and the Philippines. It was incorporated in the Philippine Security of Exchange Commission and has a base territory in the Philippines.

PICQS, Inc. has a vision to be the representing body of QS in the Philippines, guided by its integrity, skills, expertise and excellence in carrying out its duties, and to help the QS trained Engineers achieve chartered status as recognized by professional bodies. The main objectives of this Institution are (1) to unite the Filipino QS’s under one national body and give recognition of their efforts and contribution to the discipline, (2) to create affordable means for academic training, as well as provide resources for continuing professional development in Quantity Surveying, and (3) to assist them in achieving professional status for undertaking greater responsibilities.

PICQS Going ForwardFortified with its vision and objectives, PICQS, Inc. has set some targets on its way forward as follows. - The establishment of a joint venture between a UK university and a local based university to provide Distance Learning Course at an affordable price. - The establishment of a QS course in the Philippines through the help of PAQS in collaboration with ISM and IQSSL.

Philippine Institute of Certified Quantity Surveyors

Email: ndd.unl@gmail.com

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Participating member: Singapore

BCA and SISV Memorandum of Understanding - There has been an increase in demand for quantity surveyors in the recent years due to the rising number of new developments. At the technical level, a shortage of quantity surveyors is faced by the industry due to the lack of qualified personnel in Singapore. To build up and strengthen the pool of building professionals within the industry, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) collaborated to put in place a number of new initiatives. They will jointly introduce more academic programmes such as diploma, specialist diploma and degree courses to train new professionals and to upgrade the skill sets of existing ones. In addition, BCA will also work with SISV to initiate more dialogue sessions with firms in the industry to facilitate discussions on developing such capabilities. With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement, the two organisations will share resources, promote educational programmes, jointly create and implement new products and services to drive the local building industry forward.

Construction Electronic Measurement Standards (CEMS) for M&E Works – As a follow-up to the Construction Electronic Measurement Standards for Building Works, Singapore is also adopting a similar CEMS for M&E works. Participants attended a seminar at the Singapore Management of University (SMU) and received the SS CP97 Part 2: CEMS as training materials.During this seminar, SISV members shared their knowledge on CEMS (M&E) and highlighted the methods of measurement for mechanical and electrical works and the differences between the new standard (CEMS) and the old (SMM2). Speakers also demonstrated how the general principles of the SS CP 97: Part 2 could be adopted and applied for the preparation of the Bill of Quantities. Participants were also

Developments in Singapore Quantity Surveying Profession

introduced to an E-taking off software using the Building Information Model (BIM) for performing automated quantity surveyingtaking off. One of the Q&A questions from the participants was whether a Lump Sum contract would be required to apply the CEMS, to which the speakers replied that CEMS may be used for measurement of variation works.

QS Act - SISV will propose to the Ministry of National Development for the institutionalisation of an Act to register quantity surveyors to ensure highest standards of professionalism and integrity. If successful, this will allow the Quantity Surveyors to play a vital role in the valuation assessment of cost and cash flows in the construction value chain. It is of public interest that measurement standards are fair and equitable estimation of construction cost. It will promote the professional standing of the Quantity Surveyors amongst the construction consultants, emphasize the importance of the QS profession to the Employer and the need to appointqualified Quantity Surveyors for their projects. Under the Security of Payment Act, the QS can be better trained in order to discharge their duties professionally in commercial settlements.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) – BIM is a new three-dimensional modelling technology and an integrated process that allows the building professionals of various disciplines to explore the building project digitally, before it is built. With BIM, a three-dimensional model of project can be accurately represented to help professionals visualise. For Quantity Surveyors, they can understand the implications of design decisions at an early stage so that they will be able to derive accurate quantities and avoid disputes. SISV is working with the Building Construction Authority to accelerate the adoption of BIM technology thru funding and initiatives like a BIM competition which saw several youth groups from the local universities and polytechnics transit from 2D to BIM.

THE SINGAPORE QS AND RECENT ACTIVITIES

Keeping the youth QS engaged and staying relevant to the industry is paramount to the Singapore QS. The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Notable recent activities included the followings;

123 youth Quantity Surveyors from member firms enjoyed a cruise on board the Falcon Princess. QS Council members shared the purpose of the event, recent developments in the industry, quantity surveying beyond Singapore via PAQS and ICEC and encouraged those present to get involved.

Attending the 15th PAQS Congress in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The QS Division of the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) with a team of 8 Singapore delegates from SISV attended the event. Representing the Singapore delegation, Mr Khoo Sze Boon and Mr Eugene Seah delivered their papers Adoption of Precast and Prefab Technology in Singapore Construction Industry – A Cost and Procurement Perspective and Knowledge Management and the QS: A Necessity for Survival and Innovation respectively.

A work experience scheme for Victoria Secondary School students (ages �3 to 16) was organized with five local QS firms participating in the scheme. This work experience scheme allows students to catch a glimpse of what QS work is like by site visits to QS firms and interaction with the staff.

Reported by Khoo Sze Boon 2nd Vice President, QS Division

Singapore Institute of Surveyors & ValuersExecutive Director

Davis Langdon & Seah Singapore Pte LtdEmail: qs@sisv.org.sg

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Reported by Prasath Sanjeewa Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka

Email: prasathsanjeewa@yahoo.com

Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka was established in 1983, and is incorporated as a limited liability company under the Companies Act No. 17 of 1982 on 18th April 1986.

In 2007, Institute is incorporated by an Act of Parliament as the Act No. 20 of 2007. The Act not only conferred the Institute the statutory status as a chartered body but also elevated the Institute to the unique position of being the first Chartered professional body solely representing the Quantity Surveying professionals.

The Institute is admitted to international professional bodies namely Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE), Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS) and International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC). Institute also has Reciprocity Agreement with the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) for the benefit of the members of both professional bodies.

From the inception the institute was working in close association with the agencies under the Ministry of Construction and Engineering Services, such as the Institute for Construction of Training and Development (ICTAD) of Sri Lanka and Centre for Housing, Planning and Development (CHPB). I.Q.S.SL was represented in almost all working committee on formulating Specification of Works and Standard Bidding Documents. The Institute is also a member of the Steering Committee for Revising the ICTAD Publications. Management, control and administration of the affairs of the Institute is vested on the Council consisting of the President, Immediate Past President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer and Eight (8) Executive Members.

Institute currently has a membership of over 1,200. Membership

Participating member: Sri LankaAbout the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka (IQSSL)

of the Institute is open to persons who are engaged primarily in quantity surveying and have possessed the required qualifications for the particular class of membership. The Institute has Corporate members and Non Corporate members. Fellows and Associates are Corporate members while Honorary Fellow members, Graduate members, Registered members, Probationary members, Student members and Subscribing members are Non Corporate members.

In the field of Quantity Surveying education the Institute through its founding professional members pioneered the Degree Course at the University of Moratuwa and Certificate Course Quantity Surveying (National Certificate in Technology Quantity Surveying) The institute has its own College of Quantity Surveying, so that even a mature student is able to acquire professional qualifications through the institute.

Sri Lankan Construction Industry and Sri Lankan Quantity Surveyor’s Role

The country is recognized once more as the place to be in since peace is established after finishing of 30 years of civil war. Many sectors were forecasted a boom, one such sector being the construction and real estate sector. The construction industry is floating with several positive and speculative interest indicated by both local and foreign investors/developers.Following sectors of the construction industry in the Island are now in a booming situation. • Building construction • Highway construction • Bridge construction • Water supply & drainage • Irrigation & land drainage • Dredging & Reclamation • Other constructions (Refurbishments, rehabilitation, reconstructions)

Generally, there is a huge boom in construction projects initiated by the Government to support the country’s infrastructure i.e highways

and bridge constructions. In addition, the government has implemented new plans in urban areas (i.e Colombo city) therefore further construction works have now being initiated. Not only infrastructure, the government has initiated few building construction projects aiming at providing housing facilities for the community. As there are developments initiated in related to the several other sectors such as industrial, agricultural and hotel sectors, constructions related to those sectors have shown significant boom. Speedy steps have been undertaken for rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development of the conflict affected areas. Also, some constructions related to the oil refining works are being progressing. Not only in the government sector, there are several private sector constructions have shown a positive progress. Many foreign investors have shown the interest in developments in the country (i.e. in industrial and hotel sector)

With the positive development in the construction sector, it has shown sudden interest for construction related human resources. Therefore, the job opportunities for various disciplines involve in the construction has shown an increase.

The role of the quantity surveyor has expanded in various constructions all around the country, mainly in the infrastructure sector. The commitment of quantity surveyors is now also deployed in every aspect for the speedy rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in the conflict affected areas of the country, with the dawn of peace.

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YQSG Program 2012 - Brunei6th July 2012 Arrival at The Holiday Lodge Hotel and check in. (Participants have to make

own arrangements for transport from Airport to the Hotel)

Morning Session (7th July 2012)

8.15 am - Assemble at Mills Banquet Hall (The Holiday Lodge Hotel)

8.30 - 8.45 am - Opening ceremony (Knocking the Gong) and National Anthem

8.45 - 9.00 am - Welcome Speeches (Local representative and Chairman of YQSG)

9.00 - 10.30 am - Presentation and Introduction (Local and Foreign)

10.30 - 10.45 am - Coffee break

10.45 - 11.15 am - Game session

11.15 - 11.45 am - YQSG discussion

11.45 - 12.00 pm - Gift exchange and group photo

12.00 - 1.00 pm - Lunch

Afternoon Session

2.00 - 5.00 pm - Site Visits

Evening Session

7.00 pm - Assemble at Hotel’s Lobby

7.30 - 9.00 pm - Joint Dinner (YQSG & PAQS) at Tarindak D Seni

The Young Quantity Surveyors Group Programme is free of charge to its participants including lunch and dinner excluding shopping and other out of pocket expenses. (Participants shall be at the age of below 40 years)

To register, please contact: youngpaqs@paqs2012.com

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Stay connected.The YQSG Committee

Web�. www.yqsg.net2. http://paqsyqsg.proboards.com/index.cgi3. http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=26083774. http://www.facebook.com/groups/ypaqs/

Chairman: Joseph Chong (HKIS)josephhku@gmail.com

Vice-Chairman:Kenta Fukagawa (BSIJ)fukagawak@gmail.com Eugene Seah (SISV)eugeneseah@dls.com.sgLow Sow Fun (PUJA-Brunei)lah@brunet.bn

Secretary:Nila Dimaano (Philippines)ndd.unl@gmail.com

IT:Prasath Sanjeewa (IQSSL)prasathsanjeewa@yahoo.comYeap Soon Kiat (ISM)yskiat@yahoo.com

Members:Daniel Wong (SISV)daniel.wong@pfspl.com.sgKhoo Sze Boon (SISV)khooszeboon@dls.com.sgAmnah Salleh (ISM)amnahsalleh@yahoo.comShazali Sulaiman (ISM)shazali@mail.kaassociates.com.myTian Jiang (CECA)tianjiangbj@163.comNishantha Wichramasingae (IQSSL)nishantha.wickramasinghe@redcross.lkMax Shea (AIQS)max.shea@au.rlb.com

Other members:Aaron Phua Tuan Chuan (PUJA-Brunei)cuti3aaron@hotmail.comAlex Ling Kie Kuck (PUJA-Brunei)kiekuck@hotmail.comAaron Wong Chuan Xing (PUJA-Brunei)ajjwcx@hotmail.comHjh Siti Seri Hj Jamil (PUJA-Brunei)ssj8896@yahoo.comHj Muhammad Fahrurrazi Hj Abdul Hamid (PUJA-Brunei)razi2709@hotmail.com

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

Suite 602, Level 6, 65 York Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia.

Phone: +612 9262 1822Fax: +612 9279 1400Web: www.aiqs.com.auwww.yourunthenumbers.com.au

Australia Brunei

Institution of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects, Brunei (PUJA)

Unit 3, 2nd Floor, Block B9, Simpang 32-66, Kampong Anggerek Desa, Berakas BB3713, Brunei Darussalam

Phone: +6732428131 Fax: +6732448597 Web: www.puja-brunei.com

Email: secgeneral@puja-brunei.com or hzassoc@brunet.bn

China

Quantity Surveying Division, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS)

Hong Kong

Chairman: Mr Thomas Ho

Suite 801, 8/F, Jardine House, � Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong.

Phone : (852) 2526 3679 Fax : (852) 2868 4612

China Engineering Cost Association (CECA)

No.9 SanLiHe Road, Ministry of Construction, Beijing, P.R China

Phone: +86 10 5781 1486 Fax: +86 10 5781 1485Web: www.ceca.org.cn

Canada

Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS)

90 Nolan Court, Unit 19, Markham, Ontario, L3R 4L9 Canada

Phone: +905 477 0008Fax: +905 477 6774Web: www.ciqs.org Email: info@ciqs.org

FIJI

Fiji Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FIQS)

PO Box 286, Suva, Fiji

Phone: 67 9 300 455Fax: 67 9 300 375Email: fiqsec@yahoo.com

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Stay connected.New Zealand

New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)

Level 8 276 Lambton Quay Wellington 6011 New Zealand

Phone: (64) (0)4 473 5521 Email: office@nziqs.co.nz

Phillipines

Philippine Institute of Certified Quantity Surveyors (PICQS)

Unit 4H Tower 5 Avida, Sucat Towers,Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines

Phone: 0063 9189092612 0063 917 8111068Web: www.picqs.orgEmail: picqs@yahoo.com or jmc.picqs@yahoo.com

Singapore

Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV)

110 Middle Road #09-00 Chiat Hong Building Singapore 188968

Phone: (65) 62223030 Fax: (65)62252453 Email: sisv.info@sisv.org.sg

Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka (IQSSL)

The Professional Centre, No. 275/75, 2nd Floor, Prof. Stanley Wijesundra Mawatha, off Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07

Phone: 0094 11 2595970 Fax: 0094 11 2595570 Email: iqssl@sltnet.lk

Sri Lanka

South Africa

Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS)

Suite G6, Building 27, Thornhill Office Park, Bekker Road, Midrand, 1686, South Africa

Phone: +27 11 315 4140Fax: +27 11 315 3785Web: www.asaqs.co.zaEmail: association@asaqs.co.za

Malaysia

Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM)

3rd Floor, Bangunan Juruukur, 64-66 Jalan 52/4, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MALAYSIA.

Phone: 603 7955 1773, or 603 7956 9728 Fax: 603 7955 0253Web: www.rism.org.my Email: secretariat@rism.org.my

Japan

Building Surveyor’s Institute of Japan (BSIJ)

105-0014 3-16-12 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Mita 3F Sunrise Building

Phone: (03) 3453 - 9591 Fax: (03) 3453 9597 Web: www.bsij.or.jp Email: hp@bsij.or.jp

16th Pacific Association of Quantity Sureveyors Congress

7-10 July 2012 in Brunei Darussalam

For information visit www.paqs2012.com