Dear Members
Let me first of all welcome all of you and thank you for your presence. As the president for the past 12 months today I have the privilege to provide a report describing the achievement and also to put forward our action plan for the coming 12 months.
I am proud to say that our achievement is much more than a mere statement of the affairs of the Association, it’s rather a proud display of the activities our Association has undertaken over the last year, and a demonstration of how far we have come since the association was formed in 1999.
- At the time the association was set, the aim objectives was to create our council and in various past president’s reports mentions have been made on MAQS involvement in drafting the PQS bill. We feel very proud today to inform you that now the PQS act has been enacted. This definitely sets a milestone and turning point in the history of the profession of Quantity Surveyors. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank all the past presidents and management committee members who have contributed for this great achievement.
- We have also been working jointly with the CIDB and last year the MAQS circulated a draft of the Estimating Guide for SME Contractors which was presented to all the stakeholders and very soon the final copy will be officially launched.
- We did a lot to try to recruit the maximum of Quantity Surveyors and we are also pleased to announce that since last year our membership has increase by around 20% we have to date a roll of 98 members and am sure with the improved visibility of the association and its growing predominant role we will very soon exceed 100 members.
- During the past year we have participated in workshops and committees organised by different para-statal bodies on issues concerning the construction industry, like ICAC, CIDB, HRDC and others.
- We have also established an Understanding with a local publication namely the Business Magazine where our members are provided the opportunity to publish articles in relation to the Built environment.
- Last December I also attended the Executive committee of AAQS and ICEC held in Johannesburg and I would also like to point out here that all the related cost was sponsored by BCE Co. Ltd. Our regular participation in these committees helps the association to be in contact with our African peers and also to be update with the evolution in the QSing field.
- We also held two CPD events in August 2014. One was with the association of SFER on photovoltaic and another one on the presentation of the PQS Act. It is our concern to provide our members the opportunity to satisfy their 20 hours of formal CPD events as required by the RICS.
- Annual dinner. We also had our annual dinner which was attended by a group of members who enjoyed themselves and had the opportunity to interact outside office hours.
- Apart from these formal activities we also considered some activities related to entertainment and in December we organised a camping for our young members. This was really appreciated by all those who attended and we have request for similar activities.
Concerning the activities for this year; we shall focus on
CPD Events and a workshop.
- In May 2014 we will be organising a two Workshops on FIDIC. These two workshops will be just the first among a series, I seize this opportunity to make an appeal with our members that they participate in these activities encourage the organising team.
- In June 2014 we will also be hosting the AAQS/ICEC Executive committee meeting which will be an important event. We are coinciding this event with a half day workshop for our members.
- Following certain requests by our members and other persons outside our organisation we are re looking at our website to make it become more attractive, negotiations have already been started in this sense and very soon we will have our dynamic website operational and updated.
- There has always been a desire for the association to be involved in some benevolent and philanthropic activities, so this year we are going to put more emphasis on these activities.
- We shall also organise a social event; an outing for the Quantity Surveyors and their family.
Dear colleagues, I will reiterate the usual request of my predecessors. The association has achieved a lot in the past years and a lot is yet to be achieved. For this we need involvement from our members, without members’ involvement we will not be able to achieve our objectives. We do have committed members in the management committee but we need more of your support for our forthcoming events especially the one in June which will be an international event where the image of our country is at stake.
I know I can rely on your support, and to end up let me once again thank all of you for your presence and a special thanks to my other 5 members of the management committee for their commitment and who work very ably for the betterment of the our profession.
Thank you.
Vikash Nuckcheddy
President
Mauritius Association of Quantity Surveyor