Project Management

Throughout this semester, I think this module is the most interesting module which I personally think that this module is very important in our daily life. This module enables us to understand on how to manage a project and be mindful of the critical path of a construction project. On top of that, I have learnt how to use Microsoft Project to set up tasks according to dateline of a project. Besides, our lecturer Mr Leong has taught us about useful tips on how to be a leader and successful in construction industry. In a nutshell, I love this module very much.

Cost Value Engineering

Cost Value Engineering is a very interesting module which inspires me to think creatively to have a better value on the same function. This subject allows me to understand in general the value process, function analysis and team dynamics in the client’s value system. Besides, this study allows me to identify alternatives to undertake value studies at different stage of a project and enables me to propose a more collaborative effort towards the promotion and awareness of value management in Malaysian construction industry in an effort to achieve value for money invested.

Throughout this module, I am able to identify the appropriate time to carry out Value Engineering throughout different construction phases and able to recognize and recall the contribution of the value engineering /value management in the development process. On top of that, I am able to apply the value management to a value outcome in the decision making process and successfully analysed the cost and value implications of project scope and generated a Job-Plan for the assignment of this module.

Research Dissertation

This module allows me to develop awareness of the current housing market, demand and preferences among young Malaysian buyers in Klang Valley. Besides, this subject allows me to explore the approaches to research and demonstrate a systematic and orderly mind to produce a viable academic research. Throughout this module, I am able to use a depth of subject knowledge and apply analytical and research skills in closely defined topic areas. On top of that, I've learnt on how to collect data and information required and analyze data collected using appropriate techniques and tools. Last but not least, I am happy that I have achieve my objectives in my research study and developed a comprehensive research conclusion and recommendation on further studies.

Construction Law

Throughout this semester, this module allows me to understand the general principles on the formation of a contract and remedies in the event of breach. This module enabled me to understand the roles and liabilities of architects, quantity surveyors and other professionals in relation to professional negligence and the usage of collateral contract. On top of that, it also highlights the laws relating to payments, contractual claims and interpretation rules of ambiguity found in documents. Besides, this module has enhance my knowledge on the principles and procedures of litigation, arbitration, adjudication and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) stated by the Malaysian Government and Standard Form of Contract. To summarize, I have learnt a lot through this module especially FIDIC Form of Contract which explained by lecturer as one of the most important Form of Contract to be used in construction industry. I'm thankful that Sr Wong has taught me well in this module and I strongly believe that this module is advantageous for my future working as a quantity surveyor in construction industry.

Development Economics

In this semester, this subject has been taught well where I have learned more in depth on economics relating to construction industry by our lecturer Ms. Dianne Kok. This subject started with the introduction to Development Economics then further with Property Development. Property Investment, Development Appraisals, Factors in Property Development and Market Research. This subject has enable me to put theories into practice and to understand the ethical issues in the context of field studies as well as the professional practice within the field. We had been given assignment on the investment appraisal, cash inflow, cash outflow and combined of cash outflow and inflow.

Development Economics has definitely enhanced my problem solving skills in the sense where the calculations to evaluate the finance of a property development. Moreover, I was able to understand critically and creatively regarding properties and its developments as well as to define and analysing problems arises from the project with effective solutions. Moreover, I was able to enhance my lifelong learning where I am more able to learn independently and locate, extract, synthesize and utilize information given by the lecturers more effectively.

Research Methodology

Research Methodology is one of the module included in our syllabus. This module basically taught us on how to write our thesis. In this semester, we were able to learn two chapters among 5 and 3 chapters will be learned next semester. Chapter 1 described how to write a research proposal whereas chapter 2 explained on how to write literature review. A lot of researches and literature reviews has been analyzed. I'm currently writing a thesis on "Factors influencing the real estate purchase among young buyers in Klang Valley". I find this topic quite interesting and wanted to find out what are the real reasons behind of their decision and the key considerations of young house buyers before they make their decision to buy a residential real estate. Questionnaires will be distributed to young potential house buyers between the age of 25 to 35 to study their housing preferences and what they will consider before they proceed in buying residential real estate.

Building Economics

Building Economics is basically a module which concerns all the economic aspects of construction developments. Through this module, I've learned how does a shape of the building provide affect economic aspect of the building. Besides, whole life costing is one of the important topic I've learned. It basically described how does a cost spent on building can  provide value for money to the client. There is formula to analyze this. On top of that, we get to learn the 6 important formulas to calculate the future value of $1, the Present Value of $1 in the future, Years Purchase, Sinking Fund and the Annuity of purchase by $1. In addition, we are able to learn the cost indices and the adjustment of price, quality and quantity. This module does a lot of analysis like Financial Management Module.

Financial Management

Financial Management module is basically for us to understand what is accounting and financing. It is said to be one of the most module in the whole industries. Every industry need to know how accounting and financing works. throughout this module, I've learned more about balance sheet, income statements, cash flow statements, ratio analysis, Internal Rate of Return and so on. This module was quite challenging for us as we QS always dealt with construction but not financing. However, I find it quite interesting and important as this module definitely help us to analyze a business's performance before making decision on whether to award or work together with the analyzed company.

Professional Practice 2

In Professional Practice 2 module, I've learned a lot of new knowledge about payments, loss and expenses, extension of time, determination of contractor and employer, insurances and etc. Before this module, I did not even know what how does insurances, payments, loss and expenses etc.  work in construction industry. On top of that, I'd also be able to understand more on the determinations of contractor or employer due to causes stated in provisions of PAM Contract 2006. Nowadays, there are a lot of disputes regarding payments, EOT and many more in the construction industry, thus this module taught us how to settle disputes and avoid any further loss between both employer and contractor. Besides, I've learned more about Variation Orders, Final Accounts, Interim Payment Certificate, and mostly importantly how to value a scenario whether it is entitled to a Variation Order. This subject enables us to be more professional in our construction industry.

Strategic Management

This module is quite challenging for us as this module has no particular text book we must use. Our lecturer is a well experience lecturer as he gave a lot of readings and interesting examples of business strategies to us. He mentioned that a successful business doesn't always use the same strategies all the time as business market varies all the time. He further mentioned that Strategic Management is a module for us to study and think on how to be an Employer instead of an Employee. Although we have no particular text book to refer, but our lecturer recommended us to use the famous book written by Michael E. Porter ; Competitive Strategy Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. It is a very good book to be read. We all appreciate of what he taught us.

Measurement 5

Measurement 5 is a whole new learning among all previous measurements. This module comprises the measurements of Civil works and M&E works. What we learned in Civil Works measurement were Geo-technical Work, Re-Wall, Environmental Protection, Sediment Basin and so on. Where as for M&E works we learned how to measure Cold Water system, Fire Protection system, Air Conditioning, Electrical Installation and etc. The main difference of this module compared to previous measurements is the method of measurement. For civil works, we have to refer to the Handbook Measurement called Malaysian Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (MYCESM) instead of our normal practice using Standard Method of Measurement 2 (SMM2). However, SMM2 is still applicable for M&E works. I find this module interesting due to the different method of measurement and be able to understand how to measure civil works and M&E works.

Structure

Structure is a subject which is more on Engineering basics. I find this subject is difficult for me at first but after practicing the tutorials and put some hard work into it, it's quite fun actually. I've learned how to calculate the static forces and equilibrium, resolving slanting forces, trusses and so on. Due to lecturer's patience, I've asked him a lot regarding how to solve this and that which i think it's quite annoying to him but I've learned a lot. Although this subject is not our main subject, but at least we know whether the building structure is in safe condition and whether it is construcable. 

Software Application

 Through to this subject, I've the opportunity to learn two different software which are the "Cost X" and "Buildsoft Global Estmating". I find these two software are very useful and efficient for our Quantity Surveying Profession. "Cost X" is a software which uses BIM technology prepared by Engineers and Architects and quantities are prepared by us as a QS using this software. Cost X is a user friendly software which enable us to take off quantities fast, easy and accurate. Taking off using this software enabled us to shorten the time required to measure instead of measure manually. I believe this software would change the QS profession to become a more systematic and reliable profession in few years time. On top of that, Buildsoft is a also a very good software to be used in the QS profession. This software enables us to prepare BQ and Price List in a fast and easy way. Price list can be changed anytime by just a few clicks away and BQ can be duplicated for other projects' references. In a nutshell, software nowadays make our life easier, faster and more accurate.

Estimating

Estimating is the subject that I love the most in this semester. I've learned how to estimate the total cost of a project by summing up all the costs of concrete, formworks, labor costs, rebars, openings, excavations, finishes and so on. We were actually tested by our lecturer to be a real contractor to price a single house bungalow and bid with other contractors (classmates). Me and my group mates tried our best as a team to win the project by coming out the lowest bid. Although we are the lowest bid among all the other competitors, but we lose the project because we weren't convincing enough to convince our client (lecturer) to choose us as her contractor. Overall, I still love this subject because I think it's challenging enough and looking forward to have this opportunity to bid again soon.

Professional Practice 1

In Professional Practice subject, I'd learned a lot of new knowledge about procurement methods, contract arrangements and tendering methods. Without this subject, I might not even know there are few different procurement methods in the construction industry. On top of that, I'd also be able to understand more on different types of contract arrangements in the industry such as lump sum contract, measurement contract, cost plus contract and so on. Different types of contract serves different purposes and there are pros and cons to the client and contractors. Nowadays, there are a lot of competitors in the construction industry, thus procurement methods are getting more and more important in this industry due to varies of construction methods. With different procurement and contract arrangements, client is able to choose the best methods in order to save cost, shorten construction period, full control of building design and so much more. Besides that, I've also learned in depth on Variation Orders, claims of Liquidated Damages and Extension of Time. This subject enables us to be more professional in our construction industry.

Measurement 4

In this semester 4, what i would say is a tough and struggle semester but a worthwhile semester. For my measurement 4 subject, the syllabus is mostly measurement for external works such as surface water drainage, sewerage works, roadworks, bored piling and water reticulation. These chapters are quite challenging for me at first but as we practiced more, things has getting easier.
For this semester's measurement assignment, our lecturer had assigned us to do a complete measurement of building works and external works including the whole tender documents. This is quite challenging as this was the first time we measure the whole building works completely. We have chosen a double story terrace house located in Klang to be the building for us to measure. He had covered almost all of the chapters from semester 1 to 4 and applied into our measurement project. From this project, I've learned alot of new measurements and this can be applicable for my internship in few months time. Me and my fellow group mates had completed this project well and nicely done. I'm looking forward to gain more knowledge relating to QS profession in the construction industry.

Management Science

Management science is one of our new subject in our semester. Because of that, at first I was very unclear of what is the subject was talking about. After a serious of understanding and questions to lecturer, I had finally cope with this subject. Management Science is the subject that teaches us time management, teamwork, leadership, organisational structures and many more. The photo above is taken from where we conducted our case study, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. This assignment is to let us understand more on how to manage a business or a company with the implementation of GREEN. After understanding the concept of management, I can imagine that if a company or business wanted to be success, they should not only put a lot of effort on their work but they must be good in terms of time management, team work, leaderships, motivations and etc. The assignment has let us gained a lot of knowledge and experiences as we told by our lecturer this subjects is not only based on theory but experience.

Building Services 2

In this subject, I've learn several new chapters about services in a building. The syllabus in this subject consists of Fire Protection System, Air Conditioning, Vertical Transportation System and Electricity. From this subject, I've learn more about how the systems works instead of looking them from the outside. For example, by looking at the air conditioner, we wouldn't know what components in the air conditioner without studying this subject. For the assignment of this subject, we had done our case study in Sungei Wang Plaza. This assignment is to study the services in our chosen building and make recommendations on the services of the building. We had done the assignment very well. In a nutshell, this is an interesting and important subject that a construction student must learn. 

To see our presentation slides, please click the following link > http://prezi.com/hsugjigbb6iw/present/?auth_key=zxvvj9j&follow=witixj3ynq9t&kw=present-hsugjigbb6iw&rc=ref-61863257

Contruction Technology 3

In Construction Technology 3, I've an opportunity to learn about all kinds of IBS construction. IBS means Industrialized Building System which is a construction method that produces cleaner, faster and high quality products for constructing homes, high rise buildings and so many more. The IBS components like precast slabs, system form works, blocks, precast columns and others can be learn in our syllabus this semester. The most interesting topic in our syllabus is Green Building. Why I love this topic is because of the unique designs of the building that amuses me. Designers and Architects implement Green Concept to a building very well with all types of gadgets and technologies to save energy, to provide better environment and give aesthetic beauty to the building.

Assignment is part of an important thing in every of our subjects. In CT 3, we were asked to complete a task which is related to our syllabus IBS. We get a lot of experiences from our assignment which is going to the sites and learn more about IBS. We went to a precast factory name Eastern Pre Tech and Sunway Pyramid New Wing 3 which is under construction. In Sunway construction site, I've experienced on how to climb a scaffolding which I was long for that and be able to experience the heat and muddy condition on the site. We gained a lot of knowledge on it and finished our report on time and efficiently.

Measurement 3

Throughout semester 3 , I've enjoy my measurement subject very much. This subject is lectured by a different lecturer from last semester. In this semester, I've learn how to calculate Doors, Windows, Fences and Gates, Roofs, and Landscaping. We get to learn a lot of new measurements and experienced different type of assignment compare to last semesters which is  measure by looking at drawings only. We get the measurements on site by using measuring tape and draw our own plans. We had chosen SuriaMas Condominium as our measurement project and we gained a lot of experiences through this assignment. I'm looking forward to learn measurement 4 and hope there is something different and interesting again next semester.