CONSTRUCTION LAW (QSB 4414)

Personal Information 

Name: Yvonne Lai Yee Vun
Student ID: 0304029
Date of Birth: 10th August 1992
Intake: July 2011
Semester: Semester 6, August 2014

General Content

The module provides an understanding of the principles of construction laws and its application. The next phase is to develop an in-depth knowledge on the application of the law and the remedies available to the parties. Subsequently, students will be able to adopt a systematic approach to analyze disputes and the respective liabilities. Lastly, this module focuses to enhance the students knowledge on matters involving contractual claims and its assessment.

Prerequisite: Construction Law
Credit Hours: 4
Instructor: Sr. Lim Sek Cheon

Reflects

This module gives me the opportunity to gain knowledge and better understanding of the administration of construction contracts and the application of particular contract clauses relating to the roles and liabilities of architects, quantity surveyors and other parties to the contract. Through this subject, I have a better understanding on the different types of construction contracts, the general principles on the formation of a contract and remedies in the event of breach. In addition, I am able to understand the different forms of formal disputes resolution including litigation, mediation, arbitration , adjudication and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) stated by the Malaysian Government and Standard Form of Contract.

During this subject, we are assigned with a group assignment, with a group of 7 and together with the Seminar which is done weekly by students in a team of two. Each coursework carry 15% of final marks. For the coursework 1 which is the Seminar, each pair are required to give presentation on the topic that we have been taught a week earlier. Me and my teammate were presenting the topic 'Law relating to payment'. Seminars have given me a more understanding on the topics such as the payment to the Main Contractor and the Sub-contractor, Collateral Warranties, problems with the chain of liability and etc. However, on the group assignment, we are required to act as consultants assessing a contractor's application for loss and expense claim. We will assess the applications based on the conditions of contract and principles of laws relating to remedies and damages due to the breach of contract. This coursework has given me the opportunities to work like in real life which I need to apply all the knowledge i have learned throughout this few years of study. Other than that, through the group assignment, I am able to understand that each member have their own strength and abilities, and we are playing different roles within a team in the group assignment, it helps us to deal with the demands of the team environment and completed the work successfully as a team. 

DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS (QSB 60303)

Personal Information 

Name: Yvonne Lai Yee Vun
Student ID: 0304029
Date of Birth: 10th August 1992
Intake: July 2011
Semester: Semester 6, August 2014

General Content 

The module provides an overview of the process in a property development and factors that influence the development process. It focus on the various techniques of development appraisal and source of finance available. Lastly, the module concluded with the important of market research to the overall development process and its impact of research to the development.

Prerequisite: Development Economics
Credit Hours:  3
Instructors: Ho June Khai & Dianne Kok Hui Wei

Reflects

After the 14 weeks on the learning of this subject, I am more understanding on the basic principles of economics and the whole process of property development which is related to the real world of construction. Besides, I am able to calculate the developer's budget such as the total development cost and gross development value during the initial development process. On the other hand, I am able to classified various source of finance available in the construction industry and to outline the requirement in a quality market research. 

During this subject, we are assigned with a group assignment, with a group of 7 and together with the individual assignment stands 30% out of the overall result. It is indeed an interesting assignment as we require to come out with an analysis of the number of units for each type of houses that can be built for the proposed development project, a financial appraisal of the project using the Residue Method of Valuation and lastly a cash flow for the project based on "Sell-then-Build' concept. Besides, we also required to comment on the cash flow and viability of the project if it is based on a 'Build-then-Sell' concept. This assignment provides me the capability of discipline specific knowledge, where I am able to apply theories into practice. Furthermore, I believe that this module will provide me a life long learning and advance me in my career in the future when i graduate.

This subject is very challenging because development appraisal is not easy as it sounds. I had a hard time in studying this subject because it requires a very clear understanding for both theory and calculation before i can attempt the questions in the assignment and also the exam. Fortunately, I am very thankful to have two very helpful lecturers, Mr Ho June Khai and Sr. Kok Hui Wei to guide me throughout this whole semester. 

COST VALUE ENGINEERING (QSB 4215)

Personal Information 

Name: Yvonne Lai Yee Vun
Student ID: 0304029
Date of Birth: 10th August 1992
Intake: July 2011
Semester: Semester 6, August 2014

General Content

The module provides the history, background, theories, concepts and principles of value engineering / value management in decision making process. Students also will be introduced to the idea of unnecessary cost and cost cutting exercise in the cost planning and control stage. The module concludes with a series of discussion on the problem and constraint in the implementation stage based on some significant case studies.  

Prerequisite: Cost Value Engineering
Credit Hours: 4/5
Instructor: Sr. Loo Seong King

Reflects

After the 14 weeks on the learning of this subject, I am more understanding the value process, function analysis and team dynamics in the Client's value system.  Besides, I am able to recognize the contribution of the Value Engineering/ Value Management in the development process. Other than that, through this module, I am also able to analyse the cost and value implications of project scope and generate a Job Plan for the implementation of Value Management workshop. 

• What is Value Management?

Value Management is known as a rigorous, systematic and innovative methodology with multi-disciplinary approach to achieve better value and cost optimization for projects, products, facilities, systems and services without forgoing the needed level of performance. 

• Value terminology 

The Value Terminology in the various stages of work plan and the application.

• Application of Value Management 

• Value Management Process

There are generally 3 stages in the Value Management Process and each stage indicates tasks to be carried out.

Value Management Workshop (Job Plan)

• Barriers to Value Management 

In Malaysia, there are few common barriers in the industry that hinder implementation of Value Management. 

                                

During this subject, we are assigned with a group assignment, with a group of 7 which stands 30% out of the overall result. It is indeed an interesting assignment as we require to prepare a case study of Value Management application in the Construction Industry. Besides, we are expected to explore outcome of the implication for case study in Malaysia Construction Industry both in public and private sector. Through this assignment, we are able to develop a deeper appreciation of the concepts learnt by applying them in the assignment. This assignment provides me the capability of discipline specific knowledge, where I am able to apply theories into practice. I believe that this module will provide me a life long learning and advance me in my career when i graduate. 

RESEARCH DISSERTATION (QSB4914)

Personal Information 

Name: Yvonne Lai Yee Vun
Student ID: 0304029
Date of Birth: 10th August 1992
Intake: July 2011
Semester: Semester 6, August 2014

General Content

The module intends to introduce students to academic research and provide some in-depth understanding of the research methodology. Students are required to undertake and submit a substantial piece of independent research work which consists of both recording and analysing of data of the summary of published material on he topic supplemented by opinion gathered through interviews or questionnaires. In exceptional cases original ideas and innovative applications may be developed. Students are to negotiate a project title and specification with their supervisor. After an initial period of background work, they carry out the necessary work to complete their dissertation. The dissertation should be a demonstration of effective research combined with clear and concise presentation of between 10,000 to 12,000 words.

Prerequisite: Research Dissertation
Credit Hours: 4
Instructor: Ms. Theong May Chuan

Reflects

Traffic congestion is often explained as a negative occasion that tends to slow or block the achievement of goals, such as driving at a certain speed or getting to a destination at a schedule time. In the past a family used to have only one car, but now every number of a family can have one car. If everyone drives, the congestion problem will not be solved no matter how hard the government to improve public transport or build new highways. According to MIROS director-general Professor Dr. Wong Shaw Voon during interview with Sin Chew Daily that more than five million cars fill up the roads and highways in Klang Valley during morning and evening peak hours, resulting in unendurable congestion. 
 
This research is aimed to study the traffic condition within Subang Jaya. The following are 3 main objectives of the research:

1)      To ascertain the factors of high traffic volume in Subang Jaya

2)      To investigate the impacts of congested traffic in Subang Jaya

3)      To identify the strategies in resolving the traffic congestion in Subang Jaya

The objectives of the study are achieved by two ways, which is the mean of literature review and survey questionnaire. The findings have proven that most of the students are agreed that the factor that affecting the most in the growth of traffic volume is the ineffective of public transportation.  The main reason students prefer private transport instead of public transportation is due to the security issues. Students are strongly agreed that the major impact of traffic congestion is the long time spent on road and it may lead to the opportunity cost of time. As the way forward, it is recommended to implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) tool effectively to reduce congestion and can help mould the country‘s economic, social and environmental development towards more sustainable levels.

CONSTRUCTION QUANTITY SURVEYING

Personal Information 

Name: Yvonne Lai Yee Vun
Student ID: 0304029
Date of Birth: 10th August 1992
Intake: July 2011
Semester: Semester 6, August 2014

Reflects

Through this module, I have learned about project life cycle, QS role at various stages, overview of Malaysian Construction Industry, Laws and regulations governing the Malaysian Construction Industry, CIPAA 2012, project commencement, running the project, project completion, construction supply chain and construction procurement. Construction procurement is the process whereby the client chooses a specialized method to implement his project. It involves setting up a contractual network of designers, contractors, financiers and other agents to design, construct and manage a project. One of the important considerations in procurement selection is the allocation of risks among the various parties involved. Lastly,  this module provides me a very useful concept and knowledge for my future when I graduate and start working in the construction industry. 

Laws and Regulations

Major laws and regulations affecting the industry:

1. Contracts Acts 1950
2. Factories and Machinery Act 1967
3. Real Property Gains Tax Act 1967
4. Workmen's Compensation Act 1952
5. Strata Titles Act 1985
6. Employer Social Security Act 
7. Construction Industry Development Board Act 1994
8. Construction Industry Development Board Act 1994 
9. Construction Industry Payment & Adjudication Act 1994
10. CIPAA 2012
11. Housing Development (Control and Licensing Act 1966)
12. Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA)

Procurement methods 

There are four common procurement methods currently practiced in Malaysia: 

1. Traditional procurement
2. Design and build
3. Construction management
4. Management contractor 
5. Public Private Partnership (PPP)