MUHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN HJ ABD ZARIFUL
BQS E-PORTFOLIO
Development Economics
Continuing from the Building Economics module, Development Economics is a similar module that gave a more wider approach towards calculating project feasibility, profitability, value, cost controlling, cost planning, etc. As in the name, Development Economics shifts from Building Economics through focusing more on the different aspects and factors that affects Development costing & finance. As Quantity Surveyors, we must prepare and equip ourselves with necessary knowledge within this field to provide better advise to clients and allow us to have a set of skills to do so through calculations, appraisals and costing of Gross Development Value.
This module consists of Property Development, Property Investment, Development factors, Market Research, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Development Finance and Appraisals, all of which has allowed us students to gain knowledge in the field of development. This module's assessment consists of a mid-term test, Group assignment through a workshop in collaboration with our junior semester and a final exam.
Similarly to Building Economics, Ms. Dianne Kok Hui Wei is the lecturer for this module. In the previous semester, mentioned that Building Economics was a difficult module for me due to the unfamiliarity of it. However, it has allowed me to go through the Development Economics module with familiarity and a better understanding. Studying for mid-terms, preparing for the Workshop assignment and studying for the final exams went very smoothly because of it and along with a familiar lecturer to have, all-in-all, I was quite happy with how the module went and am very confident of the knowledge that I have gained.
Group Assignment - Workshop
In the previous semester, Ms Dianne organised a FIDIC Workshop for the Professional Practice II module, with a guest arriving to lecture us & two semesters in a junior-senior relationship are to make a report and assignment after the lecture. Development Economics gave a similar workshop also organised by Ms Dianne, only now we are the senior semester and we are to do a Cost Appraisal to an Office & Commercial Building project from Basement car park, to services, to road improvement works, to lush landscaping, etc., subsequently making a Report and Presentation with it. The group is required to present on their findings to the Guests along with Ms. Dianne & Ms Ang, justifying the quantity, rates, services and assumptions proposed in the project.
Honestly, there was a bit of pressure on me and my friends given the position of the experienced senior towards our juniors. As we were experienced in the cost appraisal, we had to make sure our juniors have the necessary knowledge and understanding towards it, and we had to complete it with a presentation in 2 days. I fully support the idea of integrating and collaborating with a junior/senior semester, as is my reasoning to join the QS Society Working Committee, to create a valuable bond between juniors and seniors. However, I would advise that 2 days is not enough to create a lasting bond, not to mention the immense pressure given to us that may even risk us disputing against each other. In my group however, it went about smoothly, as can be seen in the photo gallery, we made a bond as I envisioned, my only personal issue is that we did not communicate with each other well. This Workshop was a better experience than the last but I only wished it was longer.
