Time flies, as it has already been half a year since our last AGM on 2 December 2011. Over the past six months, we have achieved many important tasks like the APC interviews, new members' welcoming party, CPD events, BIM trainings, PAQS Accreditation, the drafting of the new APC Rules and Guides, the launching of the Scholarship Programme for years 2011 to 2013, visits to universities, technical institutes, and secondary schools, and the QSD Annual Dinner. There are also many other activities and events in the works, such as the registration of those qualified members as RCE in China, the PAQS and ICEC Congresses, a new programme of training courses, the implementation of the new APC system, and visits to Guangzhou and Beijing. The organization for the 2014 PAQS Congress under the leadership of our past President, Francis Leung, has also kicked off. In the next six months, we will have a lot more to accomplish, as well as to finish the tasks we initiated at the beginning of this Council Year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Council Members, Co-opted Members, Sub-committee Chairpersons, Sub-committee Members, and Advisors for their continuous support for and contributions to the Division. I would also like to thank all QS Members for their continuous participation in and support for the Division’s activities.
The HKIS Quantity Surveying Division Annual Dinner 2012
The Quantity Surveying Division’s Annual Dinner 2012 was successfully held on 25 May 2012 at the Grand Ballroom of the Royal Plaza Hotel with a total of 32 tables fully occupied. We had the pleasure of having the Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Society, Mr Marco Wu, as our Guest of Honour. We also had the honour of the company of other honourable guests, sponsors of the events, the President of our Institute, office bearers of the General Council, Divisional Chairmen, Board Chairmen, past HKIS Presidents, and past QSD Chairpersons. The honourable guests at this year’s event came from various government departments, the Legislative Council, other professional institutes and organizations, universities, technical institutes, and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR.
The Organizing Committee of the Annual Dinner, led by our Honorary Secretary, Mr Paul Wong, injected new games and performances into the programme with three TV stars as Masters of Ceremonies and singers. The whole night was full of excellent performances and enjoyable games, and all the guests, including our Guest of Honour, stayed on until the end.
I must mention the prize presentation of the 2011 APC Best Performance Award to our new member, Ms Cheng Ching Man. The award acknowledged her outstanding performance in the Assessment of Professional Competence held in year 2011. Congratulations to Ms Cheng.
The evening was very enjoyable, and I could not bear missing any moment of it. The participants were actively and deeply involved in the games. This annual dinner was one of the most successful and enjoyable dinner parties I have ever joined. I must thank the Organizing Committee Chairman, Mr Paul Wong; Organizing Committee Members, Mr DickChan, Mr Alan Cheung, Ms Kathy Cheung, Mr Joseph Chong, Mr Raymond Kong, Mr Tim Ngai, Mr Jesse Wong, Ms Tzena Wong, and Mr Joe Wu; the two photographers; and all those who provided assistance for their great efforts over the past few months in organizing this event.
I would also like to thank all the sponsors of this Annual Dinner for their generous contributions and support, without which the Annual Dinner would not have been so successful I look forward to seeing you again at the next QSD Annual Dinner.
Mainland Activities
We have received 67 applications for registration as a Cost Engineer in China. The HKIS office is now checking the documents submitted by each applicant and will recommend for registration those who qualify to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MoHURD).
In the coming few months, the Mainland Sub-Committee has planned the following activities:
- A half day seminar to be held in mid-October 2012 in Beijing. The proposed topics for the seminar include the QS role in Green Buildings; Dispute Resolution; and the Application of BIM in the QS Practice.
- Following the above seminar, a similar seminar will be held in Guangzhou in either November or December 2012.
Details of the above seminars will be announced in due course.
New APC Rules and Guides
With the introduction of the new APC System in July 2011, the QSD has revised the Divisional Rules and Guides for the APC assessment. The new version has already taken effect. As a reminder, the old APC assessment will co-exist with the new one until 2014.
There has also been a re-grouping of the core and elective competencies. This is a revision that will not only incorporate the feedback and comments from our dear members, but shall also form a simple and direct reference for candidates to record their experiences.
Apart from the above changes, you are invited to refer to the new Rules and Guides, which may be downloaded from the HKIS website (the date will be announced), for other changes. The fee for the new APC System has been raised for the first time since 2002. It is a relatively small increase after ten years without an adjustment. There will be APC Workshops in early June 2012, during which the new grouping of the core and elective competencies will be introduced. Representatives from the QSD Divisional Education Committee will be present to answer queries on the new APC System.
Training Course on the Standard Form of Building Contract (2005 Edition)
Training Courses on the Standard Form of Building Contract (2005 Edition), which were organized by the QSD over the past two years, have been very successful. Enquiries were received from HKIS members and other Institutions on whether QSD will organize this course again in 2012. We are happy to announce that a new training course is scheduled for October 2012. Details of this course will be announced in Surveyors Times in due course.
