CECA Reciprocity Assessment On 12 and 13 October 2010, the Mainland Sub-committee arranged a two-day training and assessment workshop for the HKIS members, who would like to become registered cost engineers in the Mainland. Such arrangement was made subsequent to the extension of the Reciprocity Agreement between the China Engineering Cost Association (CECA) and the HKIS by way of a supplemental agreement signed in June 2009. There were totally six trainers and assessors from the CECA. They included Professor Yin Yi Lin, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Mr Xie Hong Xue, Vice-President of the CECA and President of Sichuan Cost Engineers Association, Professor Wu Zuo Min, Vice Secretary of the CECA, Ms Kong Xian Zhen, Director, Division of Qualification Registration of the CECA, Mr Sue Yu Deputy Director, Division of R&D of the CECA and Mdm Ma Gui Zhi, Vice-President and Secretary-General of the CECA. The workshop started with a simple but serious opening ceremony led by Mdm Ma Gui Zhi and Professor KW Chau, the President of the HKIS. Throughout the two days, the trainers gave an overall view of the practices and regulations adopted in the Mainland for cost engineering. It was a good start for members who would like to continue their professional development in the Mainland. A total of 167 HKIS members attended the workshop. A few of them have to re-submit outstanding information for compliance with the Reciprocity Agreement by the end of October 2010 before their applications will be considered. A similar workshop for the members of the CECA will be held at Shenzhen on 9 and 10 November. It was a hard job for arranging such events. I would like to thank the members of the Mainland Sub-committee chaired by Mr Stephen Lai, particularly Mr Antony Man, Vice-Chairman of the QSD, for their tremendous time and effort in making the events a success. City University Information Day 2010 One of the key factors for the sustainability of the quantity surveying profession is the continuous influx of new blood. Introduction of quantity surveying to school leavers is one of the key promotion activities to attract the young generation. The information days give us golden opportunities for our promotion. The school leavers will have the chance to know about quantity surveying before they make up their mind to apply for their favorite courses in the universities. On 9 October, I had the opportunity to give a brief introduction of quantity surveying to the school leavers during the information day held at the City University. There were about 200 audience. They were briefed about quantity surveying services, job opportunities and qualifying process. Their response showed their preliminary interest in the profession. APC Assessors’ Briefing The divisional education committee (DEC) chaired by Mr Raymond Kam is one of the important committees of the quantity surveying division (QSD). It is responsible for the assessment of the professional competence (APC) of the candidates, who would like to become the members of the QSD. The members of the DEC have to work throughout the whole year. They have to prepare the assessment papers and ensure that the assessment is fair and equitable. After the candidates finished their hard work in the APC held in September 2010, it is time for the assessors. It started with a gathering for the assessors (APC Assessors’ the candidates. It was also a good opportunity for the assessors to give their views and feedbacks on the same. All views and feedbacks will definitely assist the DEC in the review and modulation of the assessment. It is a tremendous task to be a member of the DEC or an assessor. They help in nurturing the new blood for the profession. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for their hard work.