QSB 2414 Management Science

Management Science is managed by Ms Habizah Sheikh Ilmi and Ms Mariatul Liza. The module is taught based on the Taylor's Graduate Capabilities. In general, this subject consists of the basic of background, theories, concepts and principles of management. Besides, this module also involved the understanding on time management skills, leadership skills, information management, motivation and decision making strategies.

Upon completing the assignment given by Ms. Habizah, I am able to put all the theories I have learnt in class into the real practice which is the report writing part. For instance, in theory class, we were being lectured on the internal and external analysis (SWOT). As for our report, we were asked to identify the strength and weakness of that hotel after the interview session and come out with a conclusion whether it is considered an opportunities or threats to the hotel. In short, self-research and analyzing information skill is improved through this assignment. This also enhances our cognitive skills as we need to locate, extract and utilize all the information gathered effectively.

Besides that, it required a strong teamwork in order to complete this assignment successfully. By playing the role as a team member, I learnt how to assist the leader and co-operate well with other members. Communicate appropriately among each other in various setting and mode is important to reduce the barrier and misunderstanding in presenting out our own opinion. Luckily, my group has no conflicts among each other and we have overcome all the challenges together by brainstorming hard for the ideas in order to come out with the best strategic plan for the hotel.

In addition, I was given the opportunity to communicate with the professional people from the hotel industry. During the interview session with them, it has increased my ability in listening carefully and responds thoughtfully so that we can obtain the sufficient information for report writing purpose.

To conclude, this module has fulfilled its objective in making Quantity Surveying student in knowing the knowledge on management, be it the one from normal class or assignment. This management skill would be very useful for us as we may need this skill to control and manage our own team in the future.

- Main hotel visit with the incredible team to Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie-

- Representing the team to join other teams in visiting Melia Hotel-

QSB 2714 Building Services 2

Building Services 2 is lectured by Mr Kam Kenn Jhun and his teaching is based on the Taylor's Graduate Capabilities in which it helped to prepare students to meet with global market. Basically, the topics covered in his subject are air-conditioning and mechanical system, vertical transportation system, electrical distribution system, and fire protection system. These services play an important role in the building.

Through this module, I am able to understand more about the functions and operations of the building services system. For example, the air-conditioning system. I finally know where the cool air comes from and where the hot air goes to after attending the theory class. During the class,with the help of lecturer together with critical and creative thinking of mine, I can fully understand the whole operation of all systems.

To have stronger understanding towards this subject, one case study assignment is assigned to us. In a group of 6, we have decided to choose Taylor's University Lakeside Campus as our case study place. From the case study, we have found out some major problems faced by all the users in University. Owing to this, we have come out with some recommendations to improve the efficiency of the building services system. This actually improved our skill on analyzing problems and solving it effectively.

Special thanks from the deepest of our heart should go to the officer from UMC Maintenance Service Department, who had toured us around the campus and providing us with relevant information. Without his explanation and guide along the visit around the University, our report would not be a success. Through this visitation, besides gaining extra knowledge, my communication skill have been developed too. I am able to communicate with the officer whenever I had  questions to ask and to be solved.  

Besides gaining extra understanding on each system, another thing that could be learnt up is the interpersonal skills such as teamwork,leadership  and acting as a team member. Every member in team play important roles in order to complete the tasks within the time frame. For this time, we decided to divide into two leaders : in which one is in charge of report writing and another one is for presentation. All the tasks were being separated equally and thus it helped in quickening the progress of the assignment. Thank you team, for the co-operation and also braving ourselves in order to present well in front of others.

In short, this module is an interesting one as it is closely related to us. All the building services system is serving us daily. Thus, it is important for us to know more in details about the system and this can prevent us from misusing it. As for the Taylor's

-Coming together is beginning, Keeping together is a process, Working together is a success.-

The best quote to describe us :)

- This is a picture of us with our "tour guide" from UMC Maintenance Service Department. Great appreciation! -

- Presentation is a success. Once again, thank you.-

QSB 2514 Construction Technology 3

Construction Technology 3 is led by Mr Chiew Seng Khoon. The topics covered under this subject are various types of Industrialized Building System, retaining wall, dewatering system, curtain wall, prestressing technology,steel space frame roof and green building. Through this subject, I am able to update myself with the latest construction practices and processes for buildings as well as identify the various methods of building construction used today and before.

I enjoyed the moment in class. To provide us with a clearer and relevant understanding on the construction methods, videos are used as the aid of teaching during the lecture class. The class would be boring if it is only based on lecturer's talk. 

Mr Chew has outlined an assignment for us, in which we are able to understand the overall constructional concepts and procedures on the actual construction practice. In a team of four, we have decided to choose precast concrete components and blockwork as our main topic. Along the way, the process of dealing with assignment has actually taught me to understand the team dynamics and correct way to mobilize the power of teams. Gladly to say, I can work well with my team and able to complete the assignment within the time frame. We are able to combine all the theories we have learnt in class and extra knowledge that we have gained through the reliable sources from construction industry professionals then applied to our report. Synthesizing and utilizing information while thinking critically and creatively to solve the arrived doubts as well as problems would be hard without the help of the whole team.

Apart from this, I was given opportunity to communicate with the construction industry people during the process of finding resources for my assignment. The true meaning of understanding and assume leadership can clearly portrayed out. From sourcing of company and factory, to contacting them, continued by meeting and interviewing them and lastly coming back with sufficient information, this is certainly a good experience for me to improve my communication and social skills. Besides gaining extra knowledge and experience, this indirectly helped me in building good relationship with the construction industry professionals.   

Honestly speaking, I dislike illustrating. Explanation on the elements can be easier with the help of drawings. Through this subject, I have put in some effort to learn on illustrating the construction elements involved in the topics. The drawings that I drew would not be the most perfect one, but at least they can still bring out the meanings. 

To sum this up, I am feeling grateful with all the knowledge and experience gained through this module as it has helped in shaping me to become a successful Quantity Surveyor in the future.

'

- A picture of me with my team members while visiting one of the precast components factory.-

QSB 2115 Measurement 3

Measurement is one of the major subjects which a Quantity Surveying student required to master in. In Measurement 3, it covered the measurement for doors, windows, roof trusses, roof finishes, roof drainage, structural steel works and metal works. This subject is taught by Mr Soon Lam Tatt. All the measurements is based on the Standard Method of Measurements for Building Works Second Edition (SMM2). 

The lecturer has outlined one assignment that allowed us to recognize all the items to be measured in doors and windows. This had indirectly improved my subject knowledge on the principles of measurement of various elements. We were asked to measure the real doors and windows at one of the residential house. Our chosen visitation place is at Shiow Huey's house. This is something special as we are not doing taking off through the dimension obtained from structural and architectural drawings. Collecting data of the reading is one of the most fun and hardest parts for this assignment. This said, we as a team has actually improved on our own interpersonal skills as this task required us to understand the team dynamics and mobilize the power of teams. For example, the team members are separated into different tasks such as recording data; taking photos; taking readings; measuring the details of doors and windows; checking the reading etc during the visitation. As for my part, my assigned tasks are to take the reading and measuring the details of doors and windows. In short, I am happy to work together with all of my team members. 

After the visitation, the next task is to transfer the collected data into our taking off. This requires the skills of synthesizing and utilizing information effectively. Along the way of doing the taking off which also known as calculating the items, it required me to think critically once I faced problems in measuring. On top of that, I noticed that understanding of the specific knowledge such as construction technology terms which they all learnt in Year 1 is important. I need to put all the theories I have learnt before into real practice.

 We were then asked to draft out the Bills of Quantities (BQ) of doors and windows. This is one of the challenges I faced as I am not familiar with the style of writing the BQ Taylor's University. However, after the discussion by thinking critically, my team and I have finally figured out the right way of producing the BQ. Through this, I learn how to illustrate the differences in writing up descriptions as following the provided design of doors and windows.

As for assignment preparing part, it actually enhances the chance of gaining management and decision making skills. This is because we were asked to decide and plan for our own team's strategies in order to complete the assignment within a month of time. Proudly to say, the tasks are well assigned to each of us in the team and we can manage the task well.

Besides assignment, I also learnt through the lecture and tutorial session which is carried out weekly. I like the environment in  class as all the students are given chance to ask lecturer question whenever we are facing any doubts. I personally think that this subject is beyond achieving the Taylor's Graduate Capabilities in its students. Honestly speaking, I have learnt most of the elements  in my previous Diploma study. I treated this as type of self-revision on what I have learnt a year ago.Now, I am blessed that I have a clearer picture and understanding in details about these elements, and of course, the flexibility in preparing BQ.

-A picture of me with my lovely team members during the session of carrying out our assignment tasks.-

SEMS 3 : BIM Talk 5.9.13

On 5 Sept 2013, all the QS students from Semester 1 to final semester are invited to join a talk regarding BIM- Building Information Modelling. I supposed this is the latest and serious issue that is going to be our concern for the next coming years.

Is QS going to be replaced by this new technology? According to Mr Desmond Loi, the answer is "No". This simply because the things that we study is certainly more than what the BIM can do. BIM is just a new technology, which could help to ease up QS's jobs and tasks. It helps to save up time, cost and produce a quality work.

From his talk, I know that BIM is based on QTO Software, which it might cost up to RM9000 per guest for the full version. It serves as the 3D visualisation, building simulation and data management.

In short, it would be best if we QS students can get to learn up the way of using this modern software.

While Mr Desmond Loi is giving his talk on BIM.

QS students who attended to the talk

SEMS 3 : QS Team Building Activity 30.8.2013

On 30th August 2013, which is the last day of orientation week, I had participated in the QS Team Building Activity organized by the SABD together with the help from QS students in Semester Two. In general, the objectives of this activity is to let us, the new comer to know the seniors in the course and the students which are going to be the classmates for the next few years as well as creating the new-born friendship among us.

I took my Diploma in QS before back in my hometown, thus I am starting from Semester 3, instead of Semester 1. I am glad to be able to become one of the participant on that, although I might seem to be the weird one because most of the friends I made on that day are from Semester One students. It  gave me a nice experience as I get to make new friends who are from the Semester 1 and 2 students.

The activity started at 9.00am sharp. The first activity was ice-breaking session. We were given an envelope, with the name on it and we were asked to search for that particular person out from the crowds. It took me about 5 minutes to find that person and find my own envelope back. It was quite fun as I get to say "Hello" to many new faces. Then we moved on to the highlight of this activity. Were divided into few small groups. I was in the group of "Pokemon". This game is divided into few sections, in which the leader is asked to find us accordingly to the tips given at the first place and then complete the given tasks. 

After the game session, a conclusion talk was given by Ms Ang and followed up by photo taking session. 

To sum it up, I think it is good to make this activity as a compulsory event to be carried out during the orientation week. The new comers will certainly be able to learn up some soft skills through this activity. Not only that, it is a good start for each of them to know each others before the start of the official classes. 

A group photos with the organizers and the participants.

A group photo with the 'Pokemon' group.

From the left :

Azmira, Me,  Deric, Azim and Eu Weng :)