Dear Members
This will be my last post in the President's corner as ISM president. Tomorrow will be held the International Surveyors' Congress until 18 June 2010. It will be followed by the divisional AGM in the evening of 18 June 2010. The next day will be ISM AGM and the nite we celebrate the 49th Annual Dinner where I will be handing the chain of office to the Deputy President Sr Elvin Fernandez.
It's been a blast and I love every minute of it. It's been a real hectic session - several friends had advised me to slow down. How can I slow down when I am enjoying what I am doing. Of course there were challenges and issues but I take it in my stride and whatever we have decided to do we "Just do it". Of course these were made easy for me cos I received such support from Katherine and the secretariat, the councilors that include the management committee. The icing to the cake is that within these hives of activities I completed my PhD and perform my Haj.
I am equally proud of all the activities that we had done. I set 3 targets when I took over the presidency namely (1)upgrade and modernization of ISM secretariat.
(2)Increase awareness and publicity of ISM and the profession (3)Increase international exposure. I am glad to report that we were able to achieve all the set goals. But the council's KPI is in the hand of the members. If members do not feel connected with ISM, or do not feel the impact of what we have done then I may have failed in my duty to represent the members. But before members judged us I hope you would attend the AGM to be held on 19 June 2010 and read the Annual Report that described all the activities, programs and events that we had organized in relation to the 3 set targets.
But if one was to ask me which particular events or programs carried out were my favourites I would say these - the Personalised diary, Climb Mt Kinabalu with the President charity event, Galaxy of Surveying stars, Jamborees for undergraduates, Young Achievers Award for secondary school students, ISM career day by Johor Branch, Sabah Surveyors congress by Sabah Branch, and the setting up of the ISM UK chapter. I held these dear to my heart. It's a powerful tool for the branding of the Surveyors and the impact of these goes a long way.
So I would like to give thanks to all these wonderful people Ms Katherine and the secretariat, Sr Elvin Fernandez, councilors, Past Presidents, Presidents of the Surveying Professional Boards, UK chapter pro-tem committee, consultant firms and ISM strategic partners CIMB, Akzonobel ICI Paint, and Bluescope.
Salam
Assoc Prof Sr Dr Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Update 17
Dear Members
We conquered Mount Kinabalu !!! Yeahhhhhhh. I never doubt for a second that some of us in the group would be able to do it but I did have doubts on whether I could do it. BUT I DID IT. The feeling upon reaching the summit was surreal. The climb was tougher than I thought and I've never been scared in my life than when I was on that narrow ledge and hanging on to the rope while descending the 4,095m and glancing down to see the ground down down below. At that moment I just blanked all my thoughts, fears and that feeling of hysteria.
The journey was ardous and I almost gave up several times. I was dead tired. Others have taken a shorter time but it took me 13 hours ascending and 12 hours descending. Part of it involved walking in the rain, slippery and rocky terrain, and in the dark. I just could not believe I was able to reach the peak. At 200m upon reaching the peak I had no more energy, I just could not take another step and nothing more to give. What kept me going ? - well-wishers from all over including the UK chapter, my friend Roznita's mantra of "Go for the peak", and the thought that I would not be able to face the council members who have spontaneously given financial pledge for the charity. Upon reaching the summit I heard shouts from my group who have reached much earlier "Madame President is here" - that gave me another boost of energy to take that last climb up the peak. I made it.
We love the article appeared in the classified of the NST on 24 May i.e. the day we did the climb. It reported about our special charity project and brief background on ISM. Roll call on climbers who reached the peak are Suzie, Jumin, Alice, Bernard, Anas, Victoria, Enny, Siti Khairina, Hadi and myself. Katherine, Jamilah, Wendy, and Hafizah achieved the 3,000+ m. I wished to thank all the members of the group and my big thank you and appreciation to Jumin and Abdul Hadi.
Now my body ached all over and I'm walking like a robot - but it was worth it. The feeling of euphoria of being able to accomplish the challenge is out of the world. And the icing to the cake is the financial pledges to the two organizations.
Take care
Salam
Sr Wan Maimun
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Update 16
Dear Members
In 4 days time a group of lady Surveyors will attempt to climb the Mt Kinabalu. The objective is clear - we've set a challenge to ourselves and we have to do it. This may be a case of putting your foot in your mouth or as the old saying says "Terlajak perahu boleh berundur tapi terlajak kata mesti dikota". I had always believe that once you have made up your mind, crazy as it maybe, then "Just do it". To take advantage of this crazy idea we decide it to be a charity event and have identified two organizations in need of financial assistance. The charity drive was only solicited from the council members, corporate partners and friends. But if anyone would like to donate you are most welcome and please contact Katherine.
In March I attended the Sabah Surveyor's congress and I took the opportunity to visit the Kinabalu park and the Timpohan gate to familiarise myself and see what I've gotten myself into. Before this visit I don't know what to expect as such it was a fear of the unknown. Now that I have seen the trail now it is a fear of the known!!
I've just recovered from a month of open wound dressing that is healing well. However ten days ago I again had a little accident when I cut my little finger while opening a tin, that needed 6 stitches which hopefully would healed for the stitches to be taken out today. My exercise regime is not going regularly well for the past 3 months due to work, family commitment, poor weather, and of course that awful little voice that keep giving excuses "not today, definitely tomorrow" - and like the James Bond movie "Tomorrow never come". During those time that I could, I did the treadmill in the gym, went to Bukit Gasing twice, and climb the stairs instead of the lift (unless I'm wearing high-heel). And to top that up I'm not too crazy about height and I've never climb a tree, I can't stand extreme cold weather, I have corns on the sole of my feet, I don't like taking vitamin pills and my right knee make some sound when I do my daily prayer.
So there you go - and your president want to climb the mountain!!! Please pray for us. I take comfort in having two experienced climbers in the group and I especially requested past secretary general Sr Abdul Hadi to tag along. So wish us good luck and say a prayer.
Salam
Sr Wan Maimun
In 4 days time a group of lady Surveyors will attempt to climb the Mt Kinabalu. The objective is clear - we've set a challenge to ourselves and we have to do it. This may be a case of putting your foot in your mouth or as the old saying says "Terlajak perahu boleh berundur tapi terlajak kata mesti dikota". I had always believe that once you have made up your mind, crazy as it maybe, then "Just do it". To take advantage of this crazy idea we decide it to be a charity event and have identified two organizations in need of financial assistance. The charity drive was only solicited from the council members, corporate partners and friends. But if anyone would like to donate you are most welcome and please contact Katherine.
In March I attended the Sabah Surveyor's congress and I took the opportunity to visit the Kinabalu park and the Timpohan gate to familiarise myself and see what I've gotten myself into. Before this visit I don't know what to expect as such it was a fear of the unknown. Now that I have seen the trail now it is a fear of the known!!
I've just recovered from a month of open wound dressing that is healing well. However ten days ago I again had a little accident when I cut my little finger while opening a tin, that needed 6 stitches which hopefully would healed for the stitches to be taken out today. My exercise regime is not going regularly well for the past 3 months due to work, family commitment, poor weather, and of course that awful little voice that keep giving excuses "not today, definitely tomorrow" - and like the James Bond movie "Tomorrow never come". During those time that I could, I did the treadmill in the gym, went to Bukit Gasing twice, and climb the stairs instead of the lift (unless I'm wearing high-heel). And to top that up I'm not too crazy about height and I've never climb a tree, I can't stand extreme cold weather, I have corns on the sole of my feet, I don't like taking vitamin pills and my right knee make some sound when I do my daily prayer.
So there you go - and your president want to climb the mountain!!! Please pray for us. I take comfort in having two experienced climbers in the group and I especially requested past secretary general Sr Abdul Hadi to tag along. So wish us good luck and say a prayer.
Salam
Sr Wan Maimun
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Update 15
Dear Members
We wished to convey our heartiest congratulation to Sr Ong See Lian, Sr Teo Chee Hai, Dato' Sr Abdul Kadir, and Dato' Sr Abdul Rahim. More of this detail in our website and eblast as mentioned in the bulletin of Past President Council.
It's been a month since I post the last message which was while I was in Bahrain enroute to London for the accreditation exercise for the Board of QS. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip - the work, the meetings, the reports and of course the shopping. I wished to convey my gratitude to the professors we met and the Surveyors working in UK for the hospitality accorded to us which was amazing.
While in London I took the opportunity to meet with the pro-tem committee of ISM UK chapter. The formation of ISM UK chapter is aptly timed and the meeting was indeed a historic and memorable day which would go down in ISM history as the inaugaural meeting of the ISM UK chapter. The meeting discussed on issues such as the formation, registration, finance, and their proposed activities and CPD events. We have been informed a week ago that ISM UK Chapter will be having its inaugaural seminar on 4 June 2010. Congratulations!!!!
I was still jet-lagged when I attended the BQSM dinner on 23 April. We were very very lucky as our flight was on the first day Heathrow airport re-opens. On 26 April I attended the launching of the Green Building Index for existing building and in the evening, the cocktail reception for guests of IRERS conference organised by INSPEN with ISM as one of the collaborators. I was again requested to sing at the karaoke sing-a-long which I yet again turned down as I just could not sing in public (I wish I could!!!). Someday I want to make it a point to learn to have the guts to sing in public.
27 April was a busy day for me which started with the IRERS opening ceremony in the morning, the ISM Excellent award meeting mid-morning, ISM management meeting in the afternoon and the FIG cocktail in the evening. On 28 April I meet up with CIMB corporate comms senior officers with regards to our charity activity, and in the afternoon an NST reporter interviewed me and I end the day with meeting in ISM to discuss on our charity event. We had our council meeting on 30 April. That wrapped up my ISM duties for the month of April.
The Young Achievers Award was successfully held on 7 & 8 May 2010. Our appreciation to Sr Fadillah and Sr Shazaly and the committee members. The students enjoyed themselves and we were able to convey to them with regards to the Surveying professions as a career in a fun manner. Other notable events scheduled in May are: courtesy visit to PAM scheduled on 17 May, Penang branch dinner on 21 May, the "Climb Mt Kinabalu with the President" charity event on 24 & 25 May, and Inter Institution Bowling competition on 29 May.
That's all for now. I hope to write more on the Mt Kinabalu climb before I "have enuf guts to do it" as Sr Roznita puts it. Take care
We wished to convey our heartiest congratulation to Sr Ong See Lian, Sr Teo Chee Hai, Dato' Sr Abdul Kadir, and Dato' Sr Abdul Rahim. More of this detail in our website and eblast as mentioned in the bulletin of Past President Council.
It's been a month since I post the last message which was while I was in Bahrain enroute to London for the accreditation exercise for the Board of QS. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip - the work, the meetings, the reports and of course the shopping. I wished to convey my gratitude to the professors we met and the Surveyors working in UK for the hospitality accorded to us which was amazing.
While in London I took the opportunity to meet with the pro-tem committee of ISM UK chapter. The formation of ISM UK chapter is aptly timed and the meeting was indeed a historic and memorable day which would go down in ISM history as the inaugaural meeting of the ISM UK chapter. The meeting discussed on issues such as the formation, registration, finance, and their proposed activities and CPD events. We have been informed a week ago that ISM UK Chapter will be having its inaugaural seminar on 4 June 2010. Congratulations!!!!
I was still jet-lagged when I attended the BQSM dinner on 23 April. We were very very lucky as our flight was on the first day Heathrow airport re-opens. On 26 April I attended the launching of the Green Building Index for existing building and in the evening, the cocktail reception for guests of IRERS conference organised by INSPEN with ISM as one of the collaborators. I was again requested to sing at the karaoke sing-a-long which I yet again turned down as I just could not sing in public (I wish I could!!!). Someday I want to make it a point to learn to have the guts to sing in public.
27 April was a busy day for me which started with the IRERS opening ceremony in the morning, the ISM Excellent award meeting mid-morning, ISM management meeting in the afternoon and the FIG cocktail in the evening. On 28 April I meet up with CIMB corporate comms senior officers with regards to our charity activity, and in the afternoon an NST reporter interviewed me and I end the day with meeting in ISM to discuss on our charity event. We had our council meeting on 30 April. That wrapped up my ISM duties for the month of April.
The Young Achievers Award was successfully held on 7 & 8 May 2010. Our appreciation to Sr Fadillah and Sr Shazaly and the committee members. The students enjoyed themselves and we were able to convey to them with regards to the Surveying professions as a career in a fun manner. Other notable events scheduled in May are: courtesy visit to PAM scheduled on 17 May, Penang branch dinner on 21 May, the "Climb Mt Kinabalu with the President" charity event on 24 & 25 May, and Inter Institution Bowling competition on 29 May.
That's all for now. I hope to write more on the Mt Kinabalu climb before I "have enuf guts to do it" as Sr Roznita puts it. Take care
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Update 14
Dear members,
I will be in UK from today until 22 April 2010 for the University accreditation visits on behalf of the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia. I will be accompanied by Mr Chua Siow Leng and Assoc Prof Ainah of UITM. We would be going to UK with half a day transit in Bahrain. Originally I was looking forward to this visit as I always do when it comes to outstation assignments. But for this trip I was reluctant and hesitant as I am nursing an open wound that needs dressing everyday. So instead of focussing on the assignments I had to firstly think about which clinic in Bahrain and later in UK I had to have my dressing done. Then of course the pain oh the daily pain.
Anyway I was informed of wonderful news from Emi of ISM Sabah Branch that the activities organised i.e. Sabah Congress and the Dialogue between ISM Sabah Branch and the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia in March were reported in the Borneo Post. Oh that indeed is good news.
I need to stop here. So we will talk again when I come back.
Salam.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Update 13
Hello
Wow March is a 'happening' month for ISM. Early March we had e-blasted to all members the activities for the whole month of March which we dubbed as "Blast in March". Every branches and divisions all over Malaysia including Sabah and Sarawak had organized some kind of activities. These includes career day and career talks for students, International Students seminar, Jamboree for university undergraduates, CPD talks for members, dialogue with private and public institutions of higher learning, workshop on professional services, technical and social visit, Surveying congress, dialogue with Sabah branch and Sarawak branch members, Galaxy of Surveying stars, and Annual General Meeting of branches and divisions. We are glad to inform that all these activities were carried out with great success.
I received so many positive feedbacks on our first of a kind "Galaxy of Surveying stars" where we have fellow Surveyors who have gone beyond the boundaries of their professional background using Surveying as a foundation and platform to a more prestigious and high-profile careers to talk about their experience. We have such gems like "Don't do things that are interesting but things that interest you", "Passion, commitment and courage", "communication tool using language of diplomacy and humor", "Adjust and flexible are not weaknesses but courage to right a wrong", "Truthful and integrity maketh a man", "Retirement is not the end of your working life". "arrogance and invincibility will be your downfall", "Just do it", etc. It was amazing and insightful.
The CPD talks that are given FOC to members are not really free but being subsidized my the government based on the MIDA grant that ISM had received. So do take advantage of these talks as the grant is only one off and must be utilized by December 2010.
The dialogues that we had with the institutions of higher learning and members in Sabah and Sarawak made us realized how important it is to always always meet members as no amount of written information can beat eye to eye explaination. And the dialogue opens the channel for discussions. I am glad that we had also included activities for school students as it promote the Surveying professions as an option for their future career. The seminar, dialogue and jamboree with undergraduates also helped to strengthen their conviction that they have choosen the right profession.
I was in Sabah during the Sabah Surveying congress that I was informed by University Malaya that I had indeed passed my Phd and am a full fledge "Dr". Oh that is sheer happiness - 5 years of juggling my life between my family, study, work , and other commitments that I had involved myself in i.e. ISM, BQSM, CIDB, UTM etc.
I was so busy the whole month of March that I don't realised the small boil that was starting to grow on part of my body. I felt some slight pain but I dismissed it as just an insect bite. The next thing I know I'm not able to sit due to the boil that had grown and harden. I had to go to the clinic daily for the past 5 days to get it cleaned and daily dressing of the wounds. Oh my god the pain was so excruciating that I felt it as painful as going through labour. I unashamely cried everytime they did the dressing.
Well that's life - the highs and the lows all within the month of March!!. Okay bye for now.
Salam
Assoc Prof Sr Dr Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah
Wow March is a 'happening' month for ISM. Early March we had e-blasted to all members the activities for the whole month of March which we dubbed as "Blast in March". Every branches and divisions all over Malaysia including Sabah and Sarawak had organized some kind of activities. These includes career day and career talks for students, International Students seminar, Jamboree for university undergraduates, CPD talks for members, dialogue with private and public institutions of higher learning, workshop on professional services, technical and social visit, Surveying congress, dialogue with Sabah branch and Sarawak branch members, Galaxy of Surveying stars, and Annual General Meeting of branches and divisions. We are glad to inform that all these activities were carried out with great success.
I received so many positive feedbacks on our first of a kind "Galaxy of Surveying stars" where we have fellow Surveyors who have gone beyond the boundaries of their professional background using Surveying as a foundation and platform to a more prestigious and high-profile careers to talk about their experience. We have such gems like "Don't do things that are interesting but things that interest you", "Passion, commitment and courage", "communication tool using language of diplomacy and humor", "Adjust and flexible are not weaknesses but courage to right a wrong", "Truthful and integrity maketh a man", "Retirement is not the end of your working life". "arrogance and invincibility will be your downfall", "Just do it", etc. It was amazing and insightful.
The CPD talks that are given FOC to members are not really free but being subsidized my the government based on the MIDA grant that ISM had received. So do take advantage of these talks as the grant is only one off and must be utilized by December 2010.
The dialogues that we had with the institutions of higher learning and members in Sabah and Sarawak made us realized how important it is to always always meet members as no amount of written information can beat eye to eye explaination. And the dialogue opens the channel for discussions. I am glad that we had also included activities for school students as it promote the Surveying professions as an option for their future career. The seminar, dialogue and jamboree with undergraduates also helped to strengthen their conviction that they have choosen the right profession.
I was in Sabah during the Sabah Surveying congress that I was informed by University Malaya that I had indeed passed my Phd and am a full fledge "Dr". Oh that is sheer happiness - 5 years of juggling my life between my family, study, work , and other commitments that I had involved myself in i.e. ISM, BQSM, CIDB, UTM etc.
I was so busy the whole month of March that I don't realised the small boil that was starting to grow on part of my body. I felt some slight pain but I dismissed it as just an insect bite. The next thing I know I'm not able to sit due to the boil that had grown and harden. I had to go to the clinic daily for the past 5 days to get it cleaned and daily dressing of the wounds. Oh my god the pain was so excruciating that I felt it as painful as going through labour. I unashamely cried everytime they did the dressing.
Well that's life - the highs and the lows all within the month of March!!. Okay bye for now.
Salam
Assoc Prof Sr Dr Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah
Friday, February 26, 2010
Update 12
Hello dear members
How time just fly - its been a month since my last posting and I thought I had just update it until Hj Basar reminded me. Tried to rationalise why this month is exceptionally quick when I realise that February is only 28 not 31 days. As an employer its not "yeaaa payday!!" but "OMG another payday ??? I felt that I only see my staff for just a few days when I again realised that February consist of so many holidays including leaves due to FT day, Chinese New Year, & Maulidur Rasul. That is excluding MC submitted by some staff and extended leaves by all staff.
I started the month going about ISM duties when I attended the PAQS post-mortem meeting on 3 Feb to finalise the account and documenting lessons learnt. The next day on 4 Feb I chaired ISM Benevolent fund meeting. We amended and finalized the benefits for members under the benevolent fund namely medical relief of RM1,000 upon major sickness and contribution of benevolent token of RM3,000 to next of kin upon death of member. Please inform Ms Katherine of any members in such situation. In the afternoon I attended ISM 50th anniversary celebration meeting to discuss on activities and events in conjunction with ISM's 50th birthday in 2011.
On 5 Feb the councilors conduct a courtesy visit to the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) who is our next door neighbor. It seems that our visit is groundbreaking of sort cos although we are neighbors and we always bumped into each other in various governmental meetings but ISM and IEM had not sit down together in a meeting to discuss collaboration for mutual benefits. We decided to establish 3 joint working committees on Green Building & IBS, Property management services, and BS role in demolition of buildings. Other initiatives include ways to enhance relationship between the two professional institutions. IEM was also interested in the information presented by the GLS division on impact of earthquakes. It was a satisfying and fruitful visit which we both agreed need to be continued.
PSDC organized visit to East Coast Economic Region (ECER) in Kuantan on 8 -9 February which I attended on behalf of ISM. Briefings were made with regards to objectives, incentives and the PFI effort to ensure national development and economic growth. But at the moment most of the ECER efforts are based on government's infrastructure to attract investments.
12 Feb was a busy day for me on ISM matters. In the morning I attended a meeting organized by CIDB to discuss on CIDB Project Management Module for the construction industry. In the afternoon a meeting was conducted in ISM to discuss on memorandum to be forwared to MITI. I had requested Sr John Loh to head this memorandum working committee. In the evening I had a discussion with a PR firm to further refine on ISM public relations efforts.
We had our Management committee meeting on 22 Feb and issues discussed include ISM activities, operational issues, income and expenses, membership etc. We agreed to form a task force chaired by Deputy President Sr Elvin with regards to measures to reduce expenses and to increase income. The proposals recommended were forwarded in the council meeting held on 23 Feb. Since its just a week after the Chinese New Year, Ms Katherine had prepared a big bowl of "Yee Sang" with the councilors happily Yee Saing the condiments. On the 24 Feb another groundbreaking effort materialises when we held the Council of Past Presidents comprising 16 Past Presidents who had responded to our invitation to serve in such council. The council members appointed Dato' Sr Abdul Rahman Abdullah as the chair. The rationale for the formation are: for the Concil to perform to the standards as set by the previous presidents and also to guide the Councilors on strategic planning for ISM to move forward, to stay current and maintain the relevance of ISM and the profession. On 25 Feb I attended two meetings representing ISM in the BQSM Registration committee and the BQSM dinner committee. BQSM dinner is scheduled on the 23 of April 2010.
I wished to highlight here two important issues
1) Take note of one of our activity in March i.e. "GALAXY OF SURVEYING STARS" to be held on 16 March. Do attend this interesting seminar that put forward surveyors who have gone beyond the surveying professions.
2) The Council has proposed that "The Malaysian Surveyor" will become e-journal with hardcopies for universities, government agencies and corporate customers only. Any comments??
3) Take note of outreach programs (talks and seminars) throughout 2010 that will be organised sponsored under MIDA grant. These will be e-blast to members.
So there you go for the month of February 2010. Watch out in ISM website with regards to activities for March that we compiled and named as "Blast in March".
Salam
Sr Hjjh Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah
First and foremost I wish to offer ISM condolence to the family of Allahyarham Sr Hj Hashim Sikan who passed away on 8 Feb (Al-Fatihah)
I started the month going about ISM duties when I attended the PAQS post-mortem meeting on 3 Feb to finalise the account and documenting lessons learnt. The next day on 4 Feb I chaired ISM Benevolent fund meeting. We amended and finalized the benefits for members under the benevolent fund namely medical relief of RM1,000 upon major sickness and contribution of benevolent token of RM3,000 to next of kin upon death of member. Please inform Ms Katherine of any members in such situation. In the afternoon I attended ISM 50th anniversary celebration meeting to discuss on activities and events in conjunction with ISM's 50th birthday in 2011.
On 5 Feb the councilors conduct a courtesy visit to the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) who is our next door neighbor. It seems that our visit is groundbreaking of sort cos although we are neighbors and we always bumped into each other in various governmental meetings but ISM and IEM had not sit down together in a meeting to discuss collaboration for mutual benefits. We decided to establish 3 joint working committees on Green Building & IBS, Property management services, and BS role in demolition of buildings. Other initiatives include ways to enhance relationship between the two professional institutions. IEM was also interested in the information presented by the GLS division on impact of earthquakes. It was a satisfying and fruitful visit which we both agreed need to be continued.
PSDC organized visit to East Coast Economic Region (ECER) in Kuantan on 8 -9 February which I attended on behalf of ISM. Briefings were made with regards to objectives, incentives and the PFI effort to ensure national development and economic growth. But at the moment most of the ECER efforts are based on government's infrastructure to attract investments.
12 Feb was a busy day for me on ISM matters. In the morning I attended a meeting organized by CIDB to discuss on CIDB Project Management Module for the construction industry. In the afternoon a meeting was conducted in ISM to discuss on memorandum to be forwared to MITI. I had requested Sr John Loh to head this memorandum working committee. In the evening I had a discussion with a PR firm to further refine on ISM public relations efforts.
We had our Management committee meeting on 22 Feb and issues discussed include ISM activities, operational issues, income and expenses, membership etc. We agreed to form a task force chaired by Deputy President Sr Elvin with regards to measures to reduce expenses and to increase income. The proposals recommended were forwarded in the council meeting held on 23 Feb. Since its just a week after the Chinese New Year, Ms Katherine had prepared a big bowl of "Yee Sang" with the councilors happily Yee Saing the condiments. On the 24 Feb another groundbreaking effort materialises when we held the Council of Past Presidents comprising 16 Past Presidents who had responded to our invitation to serve in such council. The council members appointed Dato' Sr Abdul Rahman Abdullah as the chair. The rationale for the formation are: for the Concil to perform to the standards as set by the previous presidents and also to guide the Councilors on strategic planning for ISM to move forward, to stay current and maintain the relevance of ISM and the profession. On 25 Feb I attended two meetings representing ISM in the BQSM Registration committee and the BQSM dinner committee. BQSM dinner is scheduled on the 23 of April 2010.
I wished to highlight here two important issues
1) Take note of one of our activity in March i.e. "GALAXY OF SURVEYING STARS" to be held on 16 March. Do attend this interesting seminar that put forward surveyors who have gone beyond the surveying professions.
2) The Council has proposed that "The Malaysian Surveyor" will become e-journal with hardcopies for universities, government agencies and corporate customers only. Any comments??
3) Take note of outreach programs (talks and seminars) throughout 2010 that will be organised sponsored under MIDA grant. These will be e-blast to members.
So there you go for the month of February 2010. Watch out in ISM website with regards to activities for March that we compiled and named as "Blast in March".
Salam
Sr Hjjh Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Update 11
Dear members
Although the year started slowly but it built up towards the end of January to the extent that I had to push some of my commitent with a university to night classes and a few days ago to my embarrassment I totally forgot and missed two lectures when the students called me up as they were all waiting for me.
I met several ISM members who reminded me that I have not updated my blog - wow that is happiness. It seems that more and more members are reading my rambling and hope to see more current updates on ISM activities. It would make me more ecstatic if members could post comments on the blog. We also received glowing compliments with regards to the personalized diary given to fellows, members, graduate and probationer members. I'm so glad members loved it and appreciated it. It is part of branding ISM. My heart swelled when I saw members pulling out the diary from their bags either during internal ISM meetings or outside meetings.
I started the new year with ISM Management meeting on 8 Jan 2010. In the afternoon we arranged and escorted a group of Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) members for a technical visit and briefing to the smart tunnel project office. The next day we had a dialogue session with SISV that included discussion on strategic alliances, enhancing relationship through CPD events, data exchange, collaborative events, etc. A Memorandum of Cooperation was also signed between ISM and SISV.
On 12 Jan 2010 I had a discussion with the secretariat of the Board of QS with regards to the accreditation of QS qualifications. I was scheduled to have an accreditation visit to the University of Portsmouth and University of Reading, and discussion with Aston University on 9 - 16 Jan 2010 but was postponed due to the severe weather in UK. I was initially disappointed as everything had been arranged to the last detail and the secretariat had put in alot of effort on the visit. But as we very well know God works in mysterious ways - I was glad the visit was postponed as suddenly my mum was hospitalised due to acute diabetic attack. I immediately balik kampong and told my mum I postponed the UK visit to be by her side !!
I was invited by UTM on 14 Jan 2010 for their APA evaluation being UTM alumni and the president of ISM. I was only able to be there for a day trip as the next day on 15 Jan, the China Institute of Norms and Standard paid a visit to ISM to learn more about Malaysia's construction industry generally and cost estimates specifically. We had to engage a Mandarin-speaking member to communicate. I wished I had taken up that Mandarin class that I had always intended to but not making time to get around to doing it. On 18 Jan I attended the meeting organised by CIDB on the Construction Industry Master Plan - Strategic Thrust 1 - with regards to the implementation of Partnering framework in construction contracts.
I again was in Johor on 19 Jan as invited by UTM to meet their MBA students. Similarly it was just a day trip as the next day on 20 Jan I had an appointment with a PR firm to discuss on its offer on publicity of ISM. In the afternoon a group of us visited Mr Lim Kim Hoe and Tn Hj Hashim Sikan. We also visited Mr Yee Shin Cheong on 21 Jan. Let us all pray for the well-being and health of our fellow members.
The whole day on 22 Jan was attending meetings in the Board of QS with regards to registration and its annual dinner. Again on 25 Jan I was in the Board of QS representing ISM in the Board meeting. And on 26 Jan we held our ISM council meeting. On 28 Jan we made a courtesy visit to the Board of Land Surveyors, Peninsula Malaysia. I thanked the Board and Pejuta on their untiring support on ISM activities and highlighted issues with regards to the prefix Sr, Strata title Board, ISM Blast in March and ISM 50th Anniversary celebration, Board's authority in collection of fees etc.
So that's it for January 2010. I wished a prosperous and happy Chinese New Year to all my chinese friends and members.
Salam
Sr Hjjh Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah
Although the year started slowly but it built up towards the end of January to the extent that I had to push some of my commitent with a university to night classes and a few days ago to my embarrassment I totally forgot and missed two lectures when the students called me up as they were all waiting for me.
I met several ISM members who reminded me that I have not updated my blog - wow that is happiness. It seems that more and more members are reading my rambling and hope to see more current updates on ISM activities. It would make me more ecstatic if members could post comments on the blog. We also received glowing compliments with regards to the personalized diary given to fellows, members, graduate and probationer members. I'm so glad members loved it and appreciated it. It is part of branding ISM. My heart swelled when I saw members pulling out the diary from their bags either during internal ISM meetings or outside meetings.
I started the new year with ISM Management meeting on 8 Jan 2010. In the afternoon we arranged and escorted a group of Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) members for a technical visit and briefing to the smart tunnel project office. The next day we had a dialogue session with SISV that included discussion on strategic alliances, enhancing relationship through CPD events, data exchange, collaborative events, etc. A Memorandum of Cooperation was also signed between ISM and SISV.
On 12 Jan 2010 I had a discussion with the secretariat of the Board of QS with regards to the accreditation of QS qualifications. I was scheduled to have an accreditation visit to the University of Portsmouth and University of Reading, and discussion with Aston University on 9 - 16 Jan 2010 but was postponed due to the severe weather in UK. I was initially disappointed as everything had been arranged to the last detail and the secretariat had put in alot of effort on the visit. But as we very well know God works in mysterious ways - I was glad the visit was postponed as suddenly my mum was hospitalised due to acute diabetic attack. I immediately balik kampong and told my mum I postponed the UK visit to be by her side !!
I was invited by UTM on 14 Jan 2010 for their APA evaluation being UTM alumni and the president of ISM. I was only able to be there for a day trip as the next day on 15 Jan, the China Institute of Norms and Standard paid a visit to ISM to learn more about Malaysia's construction industry generally and cost estimates specifically. We had to engage a Mandarin-speaking member to communicate. I wished I had taken up that Mandarin class that I had always intended to but not making time to get around to doing it. On 18 Jan I attended the meeting organised by CIDB on the Construction Industry Master Plan - Strategic Thrust 1 - with regards to the implementation of Partnering framework in construction contracts.
I again was in Johor on 19 Jan as invited by UTM to meet their MBA students. Similarly it was just a day trip as the next day on 20 Jan I had an appointment with a PR firm to discuss on its offer on publicity of ISM. In the afternoon a group of us visited Mr Lim Kim Hoe and Tn Hj Hashim Sikan. We also visited Mr Yee Shin Cheong on 21 Jan. Let us all pray for the well-being and health of our fellow members.
The whole day on 22 Jan was attending meetings in the Board of QS with regards to registration and its annual dinner. Again on 25 Jan I was in the Board of QS representing ISM in the Board meeting. And on 26 Jan we held our ISM council meeting. On 28 Jan we made a courtesy visit to the Board of Land Surveyors, Peninsula Malaysia. I thanked the Board and Pejuta on their untiring support on ISM activities and highlighted issues with regards to the prefix Sr, Strata title Board, ISM Blast in March and ISM 50th Anniversary celebration, Board's authority in collection of fees etc.
So that's it for January 2010. I wished a prosperous and happy Chinese New Year to all my chinese friends and members.
Salam
Sr Hjjh Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah
Friday, January 1, 2010
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