Paper 1
Title: Certificate in Quantity Surveying Practice: Proposal for a Common Qualifying Examination for Non-Accredited Degree Holders
Abstract: The idea of a common qualifying examination was initially proposed by the author to the former Chair of the Quantity Surveying Accreditation Council (QSAC), Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM). Subsequently, the current Chair of QSAC requested the author to submit a written proposal. This paper is based on the said written proposal. In this paper the common qualifying examination is referred to as ‘Certificate in Quantity Surveying Practice (CQSP)’. The CQSP aims at facilitating entry of degree holders not accredited by BQSM and holders of non-accredited professional qualifications to register as graduate quantity surveyors with BQSM. The paper focuses on the primary aspects of the proposal i.e. on the ‘why’ and ‘what’. Other aspects including the ‘how’, ‘when’ etc will be addressed once the idea matures and is accepted by the BQSM. In the course of preparing this paper, four case studies were conducted. The case studies provided data in effort to achieve a more robust conclusion and recommendation.
Key Words: Accreditation, Quantity Surveying, Qualifying examination, Undergraduate
Paper 2
Title: The Brand Management Challenges in Marketing Quantity Surveying Departments in Higher Education
Abstract: Branding is a well established management activity across manufacturing, service and industrial sectors. In recent years, the marketing of higher education has become more important given the challenges of increased privatisation and international competition. Quantity Surveying departments in institutions of higher education need to think beyond short-term, day-to-day objectives, and be aware of their brand and be able to manage it more effectively. This paper will identify the brand management process, beginning with establishment of the “brand vision”, identification of the brand environment; both external (students, families, alumni, employers etc.) and internal (staff at all levels, interaction with other University departments etc.).
Some strategic issues to address are; what are the future environmental opportunities? What is the purpose of the brand and what are its perceived values across external and internal stakeholders? Brand values have to become part of the culture of Departments and guide staff behaviour towards students, the general public, as well as with each other and the University as a whole. What is unique about a particular Department? What added value does it provide to students as “customers” and employers as “clients”? How does it develop long-term relationships with its alumni and industrial advisory committees to create positive word-of-mouth to enable its growth and development?
Branding is far more than the name, design of brochures and the Departmental website. Whilst all these marketing opportunities must support the brand vision and objective, internal implementation requires the support of all those staff that have contact with students, the general public, alumni, etc. So that means everyone, from the Head of Department, administration, academics and the cleaners.
Key Words: Brand management, marketing, quantity surveying, higher education
Paper 3
Title: A Survey on the Status of Getting Registration with the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia among IIUM Quantity Surveying Graduates
Abstract: The Bachelor of Quantity Surveying programme of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) was started in the year of 2000. The programme obtained accreditation from the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia in the year of 2004. With the accreditation, a graduate of the programme is entitled to be registered as Registered Graduate Quantity Surveyor with the board immediately after graduation. After 2 years of working experience and subjected to the passing of the Test of Professional Competence, the graduate is entitled to be registered as Registered Quantity Surveyor. This survey aims to find out the status of the graduates of the programme in getting their registration with the board. The expected outcome of the survey is a report on the status, difficulties and challenges the graduates encountered (if any) in order to obtain the status of Registered Quantity Surveyor.
Keywords: Quantity Surveying, graduates, registration.
Paper 4
Title: Testing the Viability of a New Postgraduate Programme in Quantity Surveying Using Market Research
Abstract: In developing a new postgraduate programme in quantity surveying, a market research survey was designed to test the viability of the course content and mode of delivery. The survey was designed and conducted in late 2008 and generated both qualitative and quantitive results that were useful in considering the development of the new course.
The programme team were interested to determine the likely level of demand for a Masters in Quantity Surveying, the types of subjects that should be covered and how the programme should be delivered.
The results of the survey of mid-career QS and employers pointed to the need to cater for the higher level of demands in terms of advanced knowledge and skills in the field of quantity surveying. The new postgraduate programme would be designed to equip professional quantity surveyors with knowledge on current issues in contract law, construction, project and business management within a national and increasingly global context. The aim would be to provide highly relevant courses that are industry-led, with an emphasis on case study material using a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. The course team would aim to deliver a programme in a way that suits the demands of the modern QS professional
Key Words: Postgraduate, programmes, quantity surveying, market research
Paper 5
Title: Education and Training in Construction in the Muslim World (with Specific Reference to Quantity Surveying)
Abstract: This paper endeavors to raise awareness on the need for the Muslim world to develop indigenous construction related expertise and the way to achieve it is through establishing or enhancing (where appropriate) construction related education and training programs. Considering the subject on construction is broad and complex this paper focuses on education and training in construction in the Muslim world with specific reference to quantity surveying. The outcome of a desk study reported in this paper includes that constraint in the availability of indigenous construction related expertise including expertise in quantity surveying exists across the Muslim world; as a stop gap measure many Muslim economies rely on the services of expatriates but increasingly it becomes obvious that such a stop gap measure lacks sustainability; and with the exception of Malaysia, education and training programs in quantity surveying across the Muslim world is almost non-existent.
Key Words: Construction, Economy, Development, Higher education, Infrastructure, Quantity Surveying
Paper 6
Title: Cultural Change in Departments of QS; the Challenges of the Drive to Research University Status
Abstract: The demands of universities for academic departments to increase their research activities and improve their profile, requires changes in management and culture. This paper draws on the experience of the Department of Quantity Surveying at the International Islamic University Malaysia in considering the approach to meeting this challenge. It will look at the demands of a research university status in Malaysia. Using the experience from the Research Assessment Exercise in the UK higher education sector, the paper seeks to identify the kind of strategies that should be adopted by the Department for it to become more focused on research and postgraduate provision.
Cultural change within an educational institution takes time. There may be resistance due to a lack of appreciation that research supports the teaching at an increasingly higher level. For a department to develop it must embrace new and innovative approaches in both its teaching and research.
The quantity surveying profession and construction industry is demanding highly qualified recruits who will be the managers and leaders of tomorrow. Departments should therefore be at the forefront of knowledge. Increased research will provide the content for new programmes and improved reputation and expertise should attract better quality students at all levels.
Key Words: culture, quantity surveying, research university
Paper 7
Title: How contractors in Ghana include risk in bid prices
Less than ten empirical studies on the processes that contractors go through to price a bid are have been published in journals. However, several analytical approaches for improving the bid-pricing process have been proposed by researchers. How contractors price a bid is investigated. Particularly, how they include risk in bid prices. Exploratory interviews with seven contractors in Ghana were carried out to ascertain how prices are calculated and how risk is captured in competitive bidding. Through participant observation, two live cases of the entire bidding process were observed in different firms. Interestingly, no systematic procedure was observed in the way estimators priced the bid. Estimators’ activities depended on the prevailing daily circumstances. Markups ranging between 20%-35% were apportioned differently in each item rate, appropriate to the particular level of risk. Before this stage, some risks had already been included in building up some of the item rates. An analysis of one firm’s profit and loss statement for 2005/06 justified the arbitrary 15% margin that they apportioned in bids for overheads. Analysis of the chronology record of structured observations showed that calculations take 67% of the total bidding time, conversations (19%) and correspondence (14%). Therefore, theoretical pricing and risk management prescriptions are not supported.
Keywords: contractor, Ghana, participant observation, pricing, tendering.
Paper 8
Title: Theory and practice of how contractors price risk in bids
Formal and analytical models that contractors can use to assess and price project risk at the tender stage have proliferated in recent years. However, they are rarely used in practice. Introducing more models would, therefore, not necessarily help. A better understanding is needed of how contractors arrive at a bid price in practice, and how, and in what circumstances, risk apportionment actually influences pricing levels. More than 60 proposed risk models for contractors that are published in journals were examined and classified. Then exploratory interviews with five UK contractors and documentary analyses on how contractors price work generally and risk specifically were carried out to help in comparing the propositions from the literature to what contractors actually do. No comprehensive literature on the real bidding processes used in practice was found, and there is no evidence that pricing is systematic. Hence, systematic risk and pricing models for contractors may have no justifiable basis. Contractors process their bids through certain tendering gateways. They acknowledge the risk that they should price. However, the final settlement depends on a set of complex, micro-economic factors. Hence, risk accountability may be smaller than its assessment. Risk apportionment occurs at three stages of the whole bid-pricing process. However, analytical approaches tend not to incorporate this, although they could.
Keywords: contractor, interview, pricing, risk apportionment, tendering.
Paper 9
Title: Re-branding and Expanding the Role of the Quantity Surveying Profession: Educating the Future QS
The typical services traditionally provided by the Quantity Surveyor (QS) would be in building or construction related works, economics, legal, cost control/management especially dealing with financial issues. The opportunities and demand of clients in potential industries other than construction for future QS graduates however, are wide and varied. Clients or employers nowadays are seeking for value services for valued fees or salaries, filling new roles and gaps within the organisation or company with the appropriate professionals.
The QS capabilities and stronghold are usually looked upon and limited to the preparation of tender/contract documents, cost control and contractual practices, financial advice/management which is also traditionally concentrated only within the building sector. But then there was the question of why re-branding or name change is necessary for the profession. This is highly caused by new opportunities that have emerged in different sectors/industry in the last decade or so. Since some adjustments or modification on the roles and responsibilities are required by the employer, the name QS may not be appropriate or reflect the scope of duties they are performing which is why the re-branding of the name is sought after. Performing new and modified QS roles may also forced them to acquire relevant knowledge of other sectors to become more marketable and competitive. According to certain classic cases, employers in some sectors do not even posses the correct understanding of the QS profession and what they are actual capable of performing.
Then the question about the right approach in providing the appropriate ingredients and mixture for the QS education and training during the undergraduate or post graduate studies. The students will surely need the correct exposure and knowledge to enable them to face new/potential sectors with regards to preparing new work tasks, roles and looking into potential sectors specific needs and expectations on their job description. This is where the flexibility of knowledge and exposure in educating future QS practitioners is seen to be the critical factor. This is also where universities should provide the right platform for disseminating basic and relevant knowledge and practices of respective sectors to students. At the other end, it is also the duties of respective industries to train and mould graduates to suit their own specific needs, requirements and roles.
Other industries expectations and acceptance on the expanding role of the QS profession is expected due to the rising number of QS graduates that they employ. The education and training of future QSs’ are currently being geared more towards serving and meeting professional requirements and construction industry/sector needs but not necessarily what other industries/sectors want. Graduates should be given the opportunity to choose and serve whichever sectors they are interested in upon graduation but that specific and necessary knowledge given to them in the universities must be sufficient enough to enable them to make a head start their practice in their chosen sector on the right foot. This paper will look into the possibility and rationale behind the idea and issue of re-branding the QS profession and will provide some suggestions on how to go about educating future QSs.
Keywords: Quantity Surveying, Re-branding, education and training
Paper 10
Title: Tender-By-Thumbdrive
Tender-By-Thumbdrive ( TBT ) is designed to transfer all parts of the tender documents including the tender drawings and the software for tendering purposes into an USB Flash Drive ( called Thumbdrive ) with security feature, which will be issued to the Tenderer as tender documents on the tender collection date & the Tenderer will return the Thumbdrive with the priced B.Q. saved therein on the closing date of the tender together with minimum amount of documents in hard copies e.g. Form of Tender, Summary of Tender, etc.—a near paperless eco-friendly solution to the tender process. The talk on this topic will show how TBT is being done and the advantages associated with it.
Keywords: tender documents, Bill of Quantities, software
