Dispute resolution measures have been a hot topic for quite some years that many university undergraduates would like to pursue master programmes in this area. However, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged in the last few years as an even hotter topic around the world. While we would resort to dispute resolution measures when things go wrong, BIM would be with us throughout the development life cycle no matter where one enters into the life cycle, e.g. geospatial information, design, construction, facility management, etc.

 

BIM softwares and supporting hardwares are still expensive, keeping the low penetration rate of its adoption and low investment in its technical training from architects and engineers. Quantity Surveyors are even lagged behind. If someday the architects and engineers catch up the pace and widely accept BIM as the default system, Quantity Surveyors who do not possess the knowledge about the operation of models to extract information would be very much disadvantaged.

 

The Divisional Council sees that BIM is an important technology. Its application is a definite trend that we should start to learn and use now in order to gain the best benefit out of it. In regard of this, a new sub-committee the BIM Sub-Committee (initially called “the BIM Measurement Sub-Committee”) has been set up this year with preliminary targets to 1) keep members updated on the development and use of BIM, 2) arrange seminars and workshops on BIM, and 3) arrange visits to  organizations to share their experience in BIM. While the Sub-Committee will initially focus on promotion and education, it would move on to focus on how to actually use and tap the greatest potential out of BIM. Proper, effective and efficient adoption of BIM on Quantity Surveying Services would be our ultimate goal. The possibility of expanding the traditional scope of QS Services would also be explored.

 

The Sub-Committee has already organized 4 “Introductory Hands-on Training Classes on Revit Architecture or MEP” on 20 March 2012 (Tuesday), 23 March 2012 (Friday), 27 March 2012 (Tuesday) and 30 March 2012 (Friday). A total of 40 seats have been fully booked and recorded over-subscription. We would like to express our thanks to Summit Technology (Hong Kong) Limited for their kindness in arranging these classes to our members at their office. Members who failed to attend the classes this time shall not be disappointed, future arrangement would be made to cater your needs, stay tuned to our announcement. Another CPD event has been arranged on 16 April 2012 with a talk by Ir Francis Leung, Chairman of Hong Kong Institution of Building Information Modelling on BIM Development in Hong Kong and Quantities Take-off from BIM. I would invite all members to ride on BIM, harness and tap the most out of it.

 

Continuing professional development (CPD) is “the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the practitioner’s working life.”

持續進修 提昇專業水平 鞏固基礎 發揮專長 終生學習 發展全人理想 擴張領域 啟發潛能

 

In order to assist our members to maintain a high level of competence in professional practice and technical performance, the CPD Sub-Committee would organize CPD events from time to time for members to join.

 

To cope with the needs and demands of our members, the CPD Sub-Committee has planned to diversify its range of CPD events, in terms of topics and types, and to organize about 40 (which is a sky-high figure) CPD events this year. We would not only organize talks on contractual and legal topics but also on other hot topics, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and green measures. We would also organize APC workshops, training classes on BIM and site visits.

 

In the past, site visits were the most attractive CPD events to members, which would become full house within a few days after broadcasting. Therefore, the CPD Sub-Committee has also planned to organize about 10 site visits (such as computer recycle workshop, Construction Industry Resource Centre, EcoPark, gypsum block wall system factory, curtain wall factory and precast facade factory, etc.) this year.

 

This year’s 1st site visit to a computer recycle workshop was organized on 25 February 2012. As usual, this site visit received positive responses with full registration within a few days after broadcasting. The Convenor of this event, Mr Joe Wu, has recorded this meaningful event in the Education Section of this month’s Surveyors Times, which is the 1^st report this year for site visit organized by the CPD Sub-Committee.

 

In the past 3 months, more than 10 CPD events, including talks, site visit and training classes, have been organized by the CPD Sub-Committee. It is inspiring that nearly all of these CPD events were full house. We have posted nearly 10 more CPD events on this month’s Surveyors Times. As planned, we will have some 20 other CPD events (including talks, workshops and site visits) to be announced in the year to come.

 

This is really a challenging year for the CPD Sub-Committee. Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the Chairman Mr Paul Wong, the Convenor Ms Kathy Cheung, and other members of the CPD Sub-Committee, for their great effort in organizing so many talks, workshops, training classes and site visits in diversified topics. All members are encouraged to join the coming CPD events. As the seats are limited, you are encouraged to register your interested CPD events as soon as possible after broadcasting.

 

The Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS) Congress 2012 will be held in Brunei from 7 to 10 July 2012. The theme of the Congress is “Innovating and Sustaining: Challenges and Opportunities”. Details of the Congress are contained in http://www.paqs2012.com . It will be an opportunity to keep abreast of the updated development of quantity surveying services in these areas and to look into ways of overcoming challenges and increasing demands including awareness on the need to expand our capacities to take up the opportunities that will come with all these challenges. Members are encouraged to join this Congress and submit papers.

 

Letters have been issued to the QSD Members in mid of March 2012, who attained the qualification of the PRC Registered Cost Engineers (RCE) through HKIS in 2006 and 2011. These members can apply through the Institute for registration under the 建設部辦公廳文件建辦標 [2008]12號 dated 25 February 2008. The applicants are advised to read carefully and thoroughly this MoHURD memo when preparing their submission. The duly completed, signed and stamped application form together with all the required documents should be submitted to the Institute on or before 20 April 2012. The application will then be forwarded to the China Engineering Cost Association (中國建設工程造價管理協會) for processing. The aforementioned MoHURD memo and the application form can be downloaded from HKIS website.

 

Further to my previous messages on the updates of Benny, I would like to inform you that Benny is now recovering well at home. QSD Vice Chairman Mr Keith Yim, BoPD Chairman Mr Ricky Chan and I visited Benny on 17 February 2012. It is encouraging to see that his health condition is good. We hope that he can fully recover soon. Benny would like to thank all members’ concern and help during the difficult time.

 

Members are encouraged to become registered organ donors. Registration can easily be done on-line. Please visit http://www.organdonation.gov.hk/eng/knowmore.html for more details.