Facility Malanagement

Facility Management (QSB 2443)

Sr. Cheong Chee Yuen (Andrew Cheong) is the lecturer for this module. He is a funny yet knowledgeable lecturer as he knows about construction industry and facilities works very well.

This is an elective subject and is about the facilities and maintenance in a building. Facility management can be defined as a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology.

There is a mid-term test and a group assignment for this module. For the group assignment, we were required to form a group which consists of 3 people to prepare a report of the property name and location, view of subject property photographs, the location map, the features design information, its existing facilities and its management status. For my group, we were assigned to explore 2 storey shop-office terrace; apartment or condominium (perimeter fencing on One plot of land) – more than 1,000 units accommodation; 2 storey link Townhouse with separate frontage drive way entrance; Petrol station with 10 pumps and above & attached with fast food restaurant; and one (1) Semi Detached Factory & one(1) Bungalow factory (more than 6 acres land) around Subang Jaya, Selangor.

There is also a case study that come along with the group assignment which we were required to conduct an actual site study on swimming pool included the operation system, design layout, sketch drawings / plans and its relevant components. After that we need to provide a brief guidelines of the swimming pool in our report.

Dissertation

Dissertation (QSB 4924)

Dr. Kam Kenn Jhun is the lecturer for this module. This module is to continue what we had done for the Research Methodology during Semester 5. 

For this module, we are asked to continue to write the Chapter 3: Research Methodology; Chapter 4: Research Findings; and Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation. My thesis topic is "Comparison of Green Rating Tools in MAlaysia". Before doing so, we had to amend our Research Proposal and/or Literature Review if required. 

Besides that, there is one research paper to write and a treasure hunt game to play as our individual assignment. The research paper is the summary of our full research dissertation. While the treasure hunt game allws us to have better knowledge and understanding for what is Research Methodology.

Project Management

Project Management (QSB 4424)

The lecturer of this module is Mr. Leong Boon Tik. He is a funny yet dedicated lecturer who is always there to help us out whenever we encountered any problems. This module taught us on the process of project management in construction industry. We learned about the principle, techniques and managerial issues of the process management. The area of study will focus in particular on project management in a construction context but will also make considerable reference to the activity in other fields of commercial and business activity to emphasize the broad applicability of the principle.

This module is different from the other module because there is no mid-term test for this module. While there is a group assignment, and an individual assignment before we have our final exam. For the group assignment, we have to act as a team for the project management company of either Pulau Jerejak or Pulau Ketam and are given RM 3 million to propose improvement/ changes/ upgrade/ of the current resort, or we can propose some building that can benefit the occupier of the island. 

As for the individual assignment, we were required to develop the time schedule to build a water pump station by using the Microsoft Project Software. 

Me and my group member were taking selfie inside a speed boat while we were on our way to Pulau Ketam.

Construction Law

Construction Law (QSB 4414)

This module is taught by Mr. Wong Chong Wei, who is a dedicated and responsible lecturer. This module is quite similar to Professional Practice, but this module is more complicated and deeper in construction knowledge. Besides PAM form of contract, we managed to learn a lot about other contracts such as FIDIC and CIPAA.

Basically, the module provides an understanding of the principles of construction laws and its applications. By understanding the basic principle of construction law, the importance of adhering to the specific procedures and notices are emphasized. The next phase is to develop an in-depth knowledge on the application of the law and the remedies available to the parties. Subsequently, we will be able to adopt a systematic approach to analyze disputes and the respective liabilities. Lastly, this module focuses to enhance the students’ knowledge on matters involving contractual claims and its assessment.

There is 1 mid-term test, 1 seminar and 1 group assignment for this module. For the seminar, we are formed into a group of 2 to 3 students in a group and we were required to do a presentation during our tutorial session about the topic which was taught in the lecture class a week before. After that, we are required to ask questions for discussion and our classmates are required to ask at least one question to the seminar presenters. 


For the group assignment, we were formed into groups to give a sound professional advice to the contractor or the employer/client who has embarked on a project and had some problems in the post contract stage. We were required to assess the application based on the condition of contract and principles of laws relating to remedies and damages due to breach of contract and/ or any other contractual issues. 

Development Economics

Development Economics (QSB 4224)

Sr Dianne Kok Hui Wei is the lecturer for this module. She is a very dedicated lecturer who always make sure we understand what she is teaching during all her classes. This module is quite similar to the previous module I had last semester, which is Building Economics and also was taught by Sr Dianne Kok, but this module focused more on the overall property development. This module introduced us to the development, roles and contribution of construction industry to notional economy.

There are total of 8 topics that have been covered by Ms. Dianne, which are introduction to development economics; property development; property investment; development appraisal; factors in property development; market research; cost benefit analysis; development finance. 

There is 1 mid-tern test and 1 group assignment for this module. For the group assignment, we were required to analyse the number of units for each type of houses that can be built for the proposed development project; prepare a financial appraisal; quarter-yearly cash flow; calculate the NPV of the project on a quarter-yearly basis; and comment on the cash flow and viability of the project if it is based on a ‘Build-then-Sell’ concept.

Cost Value Engineering

Cost Value Engineering (QSB 4215)

The lecturer for this module is Sr. Loo Seong King. Basically the module provides the history, background, theories, concepts and principles of value engineering / value management in decision making process. The module also introduces the idea of unnecessary cost and cost cutting exercise in the cost planning and control stage. It is then generally covers area of implementation of value engineering and the key person involved – the facilitator. The module concludes with a series of discussion on the problem and constraint in the implementation stage based on some significant case studies.

This module is quite new for me as it is the first time I heard the tern VM (Value Management). With the help from Sr. Loo, I am able to understand the advantages and disadvantages of VM, and also the background and history of VM.

There is 1 mid-term test and 1 group assignment for this module. The title of our group assignment was: Case Study Report on Project implementing Value Management in the Construction Industry. For the group assignment, we were to prepare a case study report on a project of our choice where a Value Management study has been conducted by our value management team. We were to source from actual case studies conducted for ideas on the problem and VM methodology that can be applied to a project of our own.

Picture above shows the ground floor plan before and after usage of VM.

Picture above shows the first floor plan before and after usage of VM.

Structure

Structure (QSB 2523)

Basically, this module is a new thing for me as I am not a science student previously and i don't know anything about physics. But as a QS, we have to understand some basic knowledge of structure such as truss, load distribution and so on. With the help from our lecturer, Mr. Chai Voon Chiet, we can have better understanding about this module because he is always there to help us out whenever we encountered any problems during his classes.

The topics that have been covered by Mr. Chai are introduction to engineering principles and structures; forces and equilibrium; beam; analysis of truss structures; and column design. Unlike the other module, this module does not have group assignment but we have an individual assignment instead. For the individual assignment, we were to produce a graph that determine the force in each member of the truss and state if the members are in tension or compression.