Understanding Government Procurement Policies and Procedures

Salam and dear all,

1. In the course of providing public services, a government procures goods (such as uniforms for the army, the police, etc), services (consultancy services) and works (construction of buildings and other infrastructures).
2. Typically, the government of a country/state/province is the largest procurer of goods, services and works (either direct procurement or through the PPP/PFI procurement routes).
3. As public funds are involved, government procurements are subjected to detailed scrutiny by many: individuals, businesses, politicians, NGOs, etc.
4. Consequently, it is crucial that the concepts including transparency, accountability, efficiency and value for money are upheld at all times.
5. To understand the policies and procedures of government procurement in Malaysia, in relation to the above concepts, students may read the ADB/OECD report "Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific: Thematic review on provisions and practices to curb corruption in public procurement, self-assessment report Malaysia." The report is available at: http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/8/53/35134584.pdf.
6. The ADB/OECD report (in 10 pages) covers aspects including laws and regulations related to government procurement, Public Procurement Office (PPO), procurement policies and practices, transparency and fairness, integrity, accountability, review and complaints mechanism, etc.

Wassalam.

Reference and acknowledgement: The Secretariat, ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific.

Masters and PhD, what's the difference?

Salam and dear all, I have been asked on what's the difference between a Masters and a PhD. Briefly:

• Masters

1. Normal entry requirement: a 'good' first degree
2. Duration of study: 12 to 24 months
3. Style of programme: taught or research
4. Tendency to be career oriented / career advancement

• PhD

1. Normal entry requirement: a Masters or a 'very good' first degree
2. Duration of study: at least 36 months
3. Requires perseverance on a scale above and beyond that of a Masters
4. Style of programme: research (there may be a small portion of taught courses such research methodology)
5. Tendency to be career oriented related to research / academia

• Note

1. At IIUM (and most universities) it is among the requirements that a lecturer must have a PhD (effort is currently being taken to achieve this target)
2. In effort to develop scientifically advanced society and industries, the Malaysian Government has place a target of 60,000 PhDs by 2023

Sources: for masters and phd in general (include en.wikipedia.org); 60,000 PhDs (MOHE); others: Khairuddin (IIUM, 2010). Wassalam

A QS with a Masters / PhD would enjoy better career prospects

Salam and dear all, Preece & Khairuddin (IIUM, March, 2009) conducted a simple questionnaire survey among Malaysian Quantity Surveyors (N=124). The results of the survey, in terms of benefits of a post-graduate degree related to quantity surveying are (in order of importance):

1. Develop career and gain promotion
2. Use knowledge to solve more complex problems
3. Enhance employment prospects
4. Client will be impressed with the higher qualification(s)
5. Increase salary
6. Increase in (quantity surveying) productivity

Wassalam.

Brazil 2014 - Which standard form of contract?

Salam and dear all, Brazil is the host of the 2014 Soccer World Cup.

• In an article by Zarina Kellerman and Natasha Jansen in Lexology (online, retrieved 21st April 2010, see full address below) the authors wrote that Brazil will be working towards procuring infrastructural facilities including 4 new stadia, upgrading of 8 existing stadia, upgrading of airports, roads, and the construction of a new high speed railroad.
• In terms of which standard forms of contract that could be used, given that contractors the world over might be called to assist Brazil, the authors discussed the advantages of using either the FIDIC Red Book and the New Engineering Contract (NEC3) Engineering and Construction Contract.
• Students may access and read the article in full (copy-paste) http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=4ce4cff9-bf3b-4493-a64b-f3561f50950f&utm_source=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Lexology%20subscriber%20daily%20feed&utm_content=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed%202010-04-21&utm_term=

Wassalam. Special note:

• Students must observe the copyright conditions (Globe Business Publishing Ltd, copy-paste, http://www.lexology.com/info/copyright.aspx),
• This bloger acknowledges the source of the article i.e. Lexology; the authors of the article entitled All eyes on Brazil 2014 i.e. Zarina Kellerman and Natasha Jansen; and Globe Business Publishing Ltd).

6th International Conference on Multi-national Joint Ventures for Construction Works: Submission of Abstracts & Papers

Salam and dear all,

1. Kyoto University will host the 6th International Conference on Multi-national Joint Ventures for Construction Works.
2. Collaborators for the 6th Conference are: International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Manchester Business School (MBS), and Kyoto University's GCOE.
3. The 6th Conference will be held in Kyoto, Japan on 22nd-23rd September 2010.
4. For details on submission of abstracts, papers, venue, important dates, etc go to the Conference website.
5. Previous JV conferences:

• 2005, Kyoto University and IIUM, Penang, Malaysia.
• 2006, Kyoto University, IIUM and UTC, Hanoi, Vietnam.
• 2007, Kyoto University, IIUM and AIT, Bangkok, Thailand.
• 2008, Kyoto University, IIUM and National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
• 2009, Kyoto University and IIUM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Wassalam.