Meeting with Representatives from Qianhai Authority
On 27 September 2012, Representatives from Qianhai Authority, viz. the Director of the Division of Human Resources, Mr Li Feng; Mr Xie Yong Gang of the General Management Department; and the Vice Chairman of the Shenzhen Project Management Engineers Association, Mr Fu Xiaoming, visited the HKIS and met with the HKIS Office Bearers and Representatives from each Division. I represented the QSD at the meeting. During the meeting, we explained the structure of the HKIS, the scope of the services of each Division, the current status of HKIS members working in Mainland China, the difficulties we encountered when working there, and our expectations of working in Qianhai. Representatives from Qianhai also updated us on its development and their plan to allow surveying professionals from Hong Kong to work there. It was agreed that further collaboration is required between Qianhai Authority and the HKIS, so further meetings will be arranged to discuss the details of the recruitment of surveying professionals to Qianhai.
Housing Authority Luncheon Meeting
On 11 October 2012, the Deputy Director of Housing (Development and Construction) from the Transport and Housing Bureau, Ms Ada Fung, invited professional bodies, including The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (Quantity Surveying Division), The Association of Architectural Practices, The Association of Consulting Engineers of Hong Kong, the Association of Consultant Quantity Surveyors, and an ICAC representative to attend a luncheon to hear an update on the Housing Authority’s procurement mode, the scope of the professional services and consultancy required, and the latest requirements for Housing Authority projects. The QSD’s Vice Chairman, Sr Keith Yim, and I attended the meeting. During the meeting, views and comments on the above topics were exchanged. The Housing Authority was glad to have heard comments from the professional bodies.
APC Assessors’ Briefing and Dinner
On 11 October 2012, the QSD arranged a briefing session for the assessors of the QSD Assessment of Professional Competence. Over 120 assessors attended this briefing which aimed to discuss the assessment’s marking scheme, possible answers, common mistakes, and frequently asked questions. After the briefing session, a dinner gathering was held. The dinner was a good opportunity for QSD Council members and assessors to meet each other. I would like to thank our Divisional Education Committee Chairman, Sr Raymond Kam, and the members of the QSD Divisional Education Committee for arranging the APC and the briefing session. I would also like to thank all the assessors and members of the interviewing panels for the assessment work they will perform in the next two months.
Visit to Wah Yan College, Kowloon
On 15 October 2012, four members from the QSD and one member from the BSD visited Wah Yan College, Kowloon. They are QSD Vice Chairman, Sr Keith Yim; QSD Council Members, Sr Steven Tang and Sr Anthony Lau; BSD Council Member, Sr Nelson Ho; and I. Over 200 students attended the talk. During the visit, we explained to the students the structure of the HKIS and the work of the quantity surveying profession, the work of the other surveying disciplines, and the job opportunities that should be available when they graduate from university. The responses of the students were encouraging.
QSD BBQ Buffet Party cum Practice Notes for QS Launch
The BBQ buffet party cum Practice Notes for QS launch was held on Saturday, 20 October 2012, at the United Services Recreation Club, 1 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Over 160 members attended this event. The QSD Council Members and QSD past chairmen were glad to meet with everyone. During the evening, six practice notes covering the core subjects of Tendering; Cost Control and Financial Statements; Valuation for Interim Payment Certificates; Valuation of Variations; Handling of Contractual Claims; and Settlement of Final Accounts were launched. The practice notes were prepared jointly with the Association of Consultant Quantity Surveyors (ACQS) and the Hong Kong Construction Association (HKCA) and are intended to provide some basic guidelines to help quantity surveying practitioners apply a consistent and professional standard of service. It was our great honour for the President of the Institute, Sr Serena Lau, to attend the event and give a speech. We were also grateful to have in attendance our Senior Vice President, Sr Stephen Lai, and Vice President, Sr Simon Kwok. The creative games brought a cheerful atmosphere to the party and got everybody to mingle and enjoy the evening. I would like to thank the Practice Notes Sub-Committee (which comprises members from the QSD, ACQS, HKCA, and Sr So Chee Sing from Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.), and the Sub-Committee Chairman, Sr Raymond Kong, for their hard work in drafting these practice notes.
I would also like to thank Sr Alvin Chan from the Architectural Services Department and Sr James Fung from the Housing Authority for sharing their experiences in and knowledge of the Quantity Surveying practice in the public sector for improving the document. I would also like to thank the members of the organizing committee of the event, viz. Sr Tzena Wong; Sr Raymond Kong; Sr Amelia Fok; Sr Dr Sandy Tang; Sr Joe Wu; the Honorary Secretary, Sr KL Wong; and the Honorary Treasurer, Sr Sunny Chan, for arranging such a successful event.
City University of Hong Kong Information Day
On 20 October 2012, Sr Andrew Kung of the BSD and I attended the City University of Hong Kong’s Information Day to introduce the surveying profession to students. This event gave us a golden opportunity to promote the quantity surveying field to secondary school students and let them know more about the profession before they make up their minds on what to study in university. Over 200 people, including students and their parents, attended our talk. I took this opportunity to brief the attendees on quantity surveying services, job opportunities, and the qualifying process to become a quantity surveyor. Many of the students were interested in the prospect of being a quantity surveyor, as well as in its earning potential. I would like to thank Sr Dr Daisy Yeung for arranging this presentation for us.
Visit to The University of Hong Kong
Following the visits to City University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Morison Hill) earlier this year, three QSD Council members, viz. Past HKIS President and Past QSD Chairman, Sr TT Cheung; QSD Divisional Education Committee Chairman, Sr Raymond Kam; and I visited The University of Hong Kong on 24 October 2012. We explained to the students studying for surveying degrees the structure of the HKIS, the quantity surveying profession and its membership base, job opportunities, and the qualifying route for the new APC system. We also shared our experiences in the profession. The students’ response was quite encouraging.
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QSD
Annual General Meeting 2012
6:30 PM, Friday, 30 November 2012
World Trade Centre Club Hong Kong
38th Floor, World Trade Centre, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
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