INVESTMENT COST CHANGES FOR AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING PLANT

by

Nguyen Nam Cuong

Abstract

Vietnam is a developing country with about 70% of the population works in the fields related to agriculture and rural. Through a process of development since the Doi Moi to now, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading exporters of rice and many agricultural commodities such as coffee bean, cashew nut, black pepper… However, almost of agricultural commodities are exported in raw material types or semi products. On other hand, the procurement and exporting system has not been paying attention enough to develop correspondingly.

As the result, the value of exported agricultural products of Vietnam is normally underestimated in the international markets because of low quality. The low margin of agriculture products, in turn, contributes to increase income gap between rural and urban area. Therefore, one of the key objectives of the Vietnamese Government is to develop systems for storage and processing of agricultural products, improving production and processing capacities, autonomy in purchasing and export of agricultural commodities with quality, contributing to improving Vietnam’s position on world agricultural markets.

Executive summary  

Rationale of research

This research has been conducted to find out the way for capital estimates and analysis of estimates

Through frame work, the focus of evaluation is on financial problems analyze and change in actual cash flows and why these changes occur.

Objectives of study

To propose a solution through analysis, doing general feasibility study of project and analysis, evaluation of project cost changes.

Methodology

The qualitative approach has been used to resolve issues during construction to achieve performance.

The process includes data collection, processing and data analysis. Considering mutual relationship inside and outside using standards, normative in accordance and propose solution.

Findings and conclusion

Investment project being important document for owner to assess investment decision, owner can see big picture of project.

However the important factor in investment project is construction cost, which always seen with bias. The feasibility study is always dependant on owner and consultant and project management methods so as to reduce risk in cost fluctuation. And owner can control cash flows.

 List of factors affecting investment project

• Expertise and experience in project management of the Owner.
• The financial capability of the Owner.
• The professional ability and knowledge related to the field of investment consultancy and project design.
• Ability to coordinate the implementation of tasks between the Owner and contractors design and consulting in the preparation period of investment.
• Ability to coordinate between the Owners and construction contractors in the construction process.
• The professionalism of the construction contractor.
• Mechanisms and incentives to support investment in the locality.

The agricultural processing plant from initial stage to implementation is long process with constant change; thus success of project depends upon owner control on such movements and ensuring quality and time of investment.

During the project, the change in cost is often by different reasons, divided into four stages.

1.      The cost of construction in terms of rates of investment costs for Feasibility Study.

2.      The cost determined by the total estimated cost.

3.      The value determined by the construction contractor's proposal is approved.

4.      The actual value of the settlement package.

It is almost impossible to determine the final cost of each package at construction stage except package having fix-price, and change in cost can only be observed in above three steps.

For the changes in fourth stage that can determine final value,it is necessary to consider risk in construction process

·         Project area actually decreased compared to the record.

·         The detail design is inappropriate to the construction.

·         Price volatility of construction materials.

·         Difficult to find workers and construction equipment.

·         The impact of weather on the construction process.

·         Fluctuation of currency exchange rates.

The owner can have actively appropriate countermeasures, to minimize the negative impacts, including the choice of contractual form, in accordance, and contract with the consultant of supervisor, design consultants and contractors to strictly control the changes arising in the construction process. These are also the mission of Project Management.

Development of Quality Management System in Hospital Construction Project - A Case Study of the Projects Management Board of Investment and Construction of Thoi Lai Districts

by

NGUYEN TIEN THUC

Abstract

The report raises important issues in quality management systems (QMS), it emphasizes the important factors for any organization that would grow and survive in the free trade market.

In which this study refers to the theory and the standard system, presents the concept of quality in construction, models of quality management systems in the organization, the requirements necessary for system quality management of the Owner in construction and its benefits. The research presented briefly the factors most affecting the quality of the project from the public report and the key points to control the quality of construction from design phase to construction phase. The report introduced a model of QMS for the construction company for the purpose based on the available model of quality control and edit the successful application of model quality management of the company to have is a project that really matter.

Report the results of a study, carried out to examine the basic factors affecting the quality of a construction project. It also aims to identify the factors showed a strong correlation to performance quality. The ultimate goal is to provide clients, project management, monitoring, consulting and contractor information can help them become more effective with their limited resources and achieve the ultimate goal better quality. 

Executive summary

Rationale of research

This research has been conducted to study quality issues in construction projects of Vietnam, in recent years quality of construction works marked as question in public as well as private projects.

Objectives of study

To propose recommendation for improvement in quality of construction by studying and analyzing  quality management systems and practices in construction projects, quality management system in development and implementation in hospital construction project.

Methodology

In this research, case study approach has been used to focus on studying and analyzing different sources of data to develop a quality management model for owner

Findings and conclusion

By observing case of hospital construction project based on  available data and observations it is very much clear that the responsibilities at each level are clearly defined. The overall management system of the project is clearly defined and managed, but still there are some problems in some areas which needed to examine.

The project staff needs to train and encouragement for quality of work, leadership and stability within organization.

Morale improvement of staff, customer focused and quality checks from start of conceptual design.

Recommendations

Need of a clear mechanism from project manager to improve quality in construction and to reduce risk of early quality.

·         Control measures must be designed from the product when completed.

·         To determine the quality control tasks from the beginning.

·         To select the contractor fully qualified and experienced.

·         Regular training and quality control training for staff.

Need of developing evaluation system from owner side, which will collect and store updated data the contractors completed projects. The evaluation system clearly defines the method of assessment.

·         Develop a quality benchmarking assessment skills of construction contractors, materials and equipment during construction.

·         Establishing a benchmark for assessing the safety and sustainability of the project.

·         Establishing a benchmark for assessing the response of work with the regulations on construction rules and technical standards may be applied to build the project.

·         Establishing a benchmark assessment of the art construction.

·         As a basis for evaluating and scoring capabilities businesses such as contractors involved in tendering for other projects.

·          As a basis, the documentation for quality control of a new work.

·          Making facilities and materials for the workshop on improving quality control in order to draw experiences for subsequent work.

THƯ MỜI THAM DỰ

HỘI THẢO CHUYÊN ĐỀ

NHỮNG THAY ĐỔI VỀ CƠ SỞ HẠ TẦNG VÀ XÃ HỘI TẠI NHẬT BẢN

Viện Công nghệ Châu Á tại Việt Nam (AITVN) xin gửi lời chào trân trọng.

Đa số các nhà quản lý dự án và điều phối các dự án phát triển cơ sở hạ tầng của Việt Nam đều có cơ sở tốt về kỹ thuật như kỹ thuật xây dựng, cơ khí, điện, v.v… Để có thể là nhà quản lý chuyên nghiệp điều hành và tham gia các dự án lớn họ cần được trang bị đầy đủ kiến thức và các kỹ năng cần thiết cho quản lý dự án như quản lý về quy mô, hợp đồng, thu mua, tài chính và thời gian hoàn thành dự án,... Do đó, nâng cao năng lực về quản lý dự án xây dựng là một trong những nhiệm vụ trọng tâm phát triển nhân lực quản lý cao cấp của các tập đoàn xây dựng lớn, các công ty đầu tư xây dựng cũng như các nhà thầu.

Để đáp ứng nhu cầu ngày càng cao đội ngũ cán bộ chất lượng cao về lĩnh vực kỹ thuật và quản lý xây dựng dân dụng của Việt Nam, Viện Công nghệ Châu Á đã triển khai rất thành công khóa đầu tiên chương trình đào tạo thạc sỹ về “Quản Lý Dự Án Xây Dựng – Kỹ thuật Xây dựng và quản lý cơ sở hạ tầng” tại cần thơ năm 2010-2011 với các chuyên gia, chuyên viên kỹ sư đầu ngành làm việc trong lĩnh vực xây dựng, cầu đường, ban quản lý dự án vùng đồng bằng sông Cửu Long ,… Trong khuôn khổ Chương trình, AITVN xin trân trọng kính mời Quý vị đại diện tham dự Hội thảo “NHỮNG THAY ĐỔI VỀ CƠ SỞ HẠ TẦNG VÀ XÃ HỘI TẠI NHẬT BẢN”, được tổ chức lúc 9h00, Thứ năm, ngày 25 tháng 05 năm 2012 tại AITVN Cần Thơ.

Địa chỉ Tòa nhà Trung tâm Học liệu, Khu II- Đại học Cần Thơ, đường 3-2 TP Cần Thơ.  

AITVN trân trọng kính mời Quý cơ quan, đại diện phụ trách Nhân sự, cán bộ và đào tạo, các chuyên viên kỹ thuật, các nhà quản lý các dự án đầu tư/xây dựng lớn, các cá nhân quan tâm đến Hội thảo và các chương trình đào tạo của AIT đến tham gia Hội thảo.

Xin liên hệ địa chỉ sau để đăng ký tham gia:

Chị Mỹ Trang, Điện thoại:0710-3815523, email: trang@aitcv.ac.vn

Trân trọng,

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Nội dung chương trình:

v      8:45 – 9:00	Đăng ký tham dự
v      9:00 – 9:15	Khai mạc Giới thiệu về AIT-AITVN
v      9:15 – 9:45	Những thay đổi về cơ sở hạ tầng và xã hội tại Nhật Bản
v      9:45 – 10:05	Giới thiệu về Chương trình Thạc sĩ Chuyên nghiệp của AIT về Quản lý Dự án xây dựng ·         Giới thiệu Chương trình đào tạo – các đặc điểm chính ·         Giới thiệu về yêu cầu tuyển sinh ·         Học phí và các chi phí liên quan
v      10:05 – 10:25	Giới thiệu chương trình đào tạo Thạc sĩ hai giai đoạn của AIT về “Xây Dựng, Kỹ Thuật và Quản lý Cơ Sở Hạ Tầng”
v      10:25 - 11:00	Hỏi – đáp Trao đổi kinh nghiệm với cựu sinh viên khóa MPM1

 

Trình bày:       Tiến sĩ Takayuki Minato,

                        Giảng viên trường Đại Học Tokyo

                        Tiến sĩ Hadikusumo

                        Trưởng khoa, Khoa Quản lý Xây dựng, Kỹ thuật và Cơ sở Hạ tầng,

                        Trường Kỹ thuật và Công nghệ - Viện Công nghệ Châu Á (AIT)

QUALITY MANAGEMENT FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

A CASE STUDY OF RESIDENTIAL AREA FOR CANTHO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

by

Le Thanh Phieu

Abstract

The thesis shows the key issues in Quality Management System (QMS) considered as the essential factor for any organization that wants to develop and survive in the free trade market.

This thesis reviews the theory about quality management and its importance in construction project. In fact, this theory shows the important role, requirements and benefits of applying o construction quality management. The thesis briefs the factors that most effect to project quality and the key points to control project quality from the design to construction stage. The thesis has introduced a QMS to the construction contractor and the investors that they really need to be familiar with at present.

The other part of this thesis is the case study on Residential Area for CanTho University Students where the quality management system is applied. During this project, the system is well applied leading to great achievements despite some unexpected problems. Through this research, there are several good lessons that the parties related to the project should realize and study. They should have owned a quality management system, well-trained staff and disciplined top executive managers looking for high quality.

 Executive summary  

Rationale of research

This research has been conducted to study quality management systems and its application in government projects in Vietnam. To propose suitable solution to quality management system  by studying case study of Can Tho University student residential area.

Objectives of study

To propose recommendation by studying quality management system and practices in building construction projects, analyzing quality management practices in Can Tho University students residential project.

Methodology

In order to conduct research there is immense need of a frame work, which will describe how research will be conducted.
In this research case study approach has been used to focus on studying and analyzing different sources of data; i-e project documents, newspapers, local construction law and standards etc.

The research design is based on single-case and single unit of analysis, exploratory research is used in reviewing the literature to develop a frame work for building construction projects in Vietnam.

Findings and conclusion

Due different understanding of QMS in parties of the contract, the QMS in construction industry is still not established properly .Contractors tend to be more focused towards profit.so, it can be difficult to implement QMS. The common understanding for QMS in industry is considered as high cost of devising that strategy at initial level; there might be counterbalances in weakening of quality of work.

It can be more difficult to device on site due to opposition from the parties involved, and can also device in organization, but team members within organization can resist changing. They can be educated for changing norms and systems of organization

When considering the QMS of Can Tho University students residential area, the theory give the impression to be fit in the owner’s desires for QMS.

The project is prototypical for future projects of CTU for achieving extraordinary value projects. QMS delivers a foundation for getting quality construction through procedures and practices to comply customer needs and business performance in industry.

Recommendations

o   Availability of funds to maintain cash flow.

o   Most updated QMS to be provided to contractor & contractor should be informed for any change in QMS immediately.

o   QMS to be applied according to regulations and requirements of standard construction.

o   Internal staff must be trained for maintaining high quality construction, through quality audits.

invitation

TECHNICAL SEMINAR OF AIT

IN INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), as the Asia-Pacific Region’s first postgraduate engineering school, has striven to promote technological change and sustainable development through education, research and outreach. Over the years, AIT has produced a number of engineering and technology alumni for key organizations/sectors in Vietnam. Advanced education and research in engineering and technology continue to be among the Institute’s greatest strengths.

School of Engineering and Technology (SET) is one of the three schools at AIT. SET’s mission is to develop future leaders, highly qualified engineers and technologists who play leading roles in promoting the region’s industry competitiveness for its integration into global economy. Besides offering state-of-the-art multidisciplinary programs, SET annually conducts expert seminars to promote its cutting-edge applicable researches to interested experts/professionals.

We would like to inform you that SET is organizing a half-day technical seminar in “Infrastructure Engineering and Development” in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

The topics to be discussed would be as follows:   

• Analysis of GW recovery and consolidation and their effect on substructures of Bangkok
• Highway Technologies

Date & time:    8:30-11:00; 9 May 2012 in Hanoi

8:30-11:00, 10 May 2012 in HCMC

Location:          In Hanoi: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, 1 Thanh Nien Street, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi

                        In HCMC: Duxton Hotel Saigon, 63 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Language:        English with interpretation

We are pleased to invite you or representatives from your institution, company to this technical seminar. You are kindly requested to confirm your attendance not later than 07 May 2012 to:

• Hanoi: Ms. Kieu Phuong Ly at (04) 37669493 (ext: 131); email: kieuly@aitcv.ac.vn, Fax: (04) 37669492.
• Ho Chi Minh city: Ms. Nguyen Le Tuong at (08) 39107423 (ext:117); email: ngletuong@aitcv.ac.vn. Fax: (08) 39107422.

We look forward to meeting you all at the seminar and thank you for your cooperation.

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08:30 - 08:45	Registration
08:45 - 09:00	Welcome speech AIT/SET Introduction
09:00 - 09:45	Presentation: Analysis of GW recovery and consolidation and their effect on substructures of Bangkok Dr.Pham Huy Giao- Geotechnical and Earth Resources Engineering Field, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of  Technology (AIT), Engineering Geology & Applied Geophysics, FEM Groundwater modelling,  Land subsidence analysis.
09:45 - 10:00	Discussion
10:00 - 10:45	Presentation: Highway Technologies Dr. Kunnawee Kanitpong- Transportation Engineering Field, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of  Technology (AIT), Highway Materials, Pavement Design and Analysis, Asphalt Mixture Design, Asphalt Rheology, Pavement Performance Testing, Pavement Management
10:45 – 11:00	Discussion
11:00 – 11:30	Coffee break

GMSARN SCHOLARSHIP

GMSARN SCHOLARSHIP 

There is Great Mekong scholarships available for Vietnamese who want to study Master degree in Construction Engineering and Infrastructure Management (CEIM) in AIT Thailand Campus.

Please submit your application within two weeks (deadline 30 April 2012) to Ms. Tuong (email ngletuong@aitcv.ac.vn or phone 0913138408) in HCMC; Ms. Ngan, email ngan@aitcv.ac.vn or phone 0912491948) in Ha Noi.

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Call for Nominations

2012 Loom Khong Pijay (GMSARN) Scholarships

 T

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) promotes technological change and sustainable development in the Asian-Pacific region through higher education, research and outreach. Established in Bangkok in 1959, AIT has become a leading regional postgraduate institution and is actively working with public and private sector partners throughout the region and with some of the top universities in the world. Recognized for its multinational, multi- cultural ethos, the Institute operates as a self-contained international community at its campus located 40 km (25 miles) north of Bangkok.

Loom Khong Pijay (GMSARN) Scholarships  

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) consists of Cambodia, China (Yunnan & Guanxi Provinces), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. AIT’s focal point for GMS activities is in the networking under the Greater Mekong Subregion Academic and Research Network (GMSARN). GMSARN seeks to ensure that the holistic intellectual knowledge and assets generated, developed and maintained are shared by organizations within the region. Primary emphasis is placed on complementary linkages between technological and socio-economic development issues. GMSARN now includes 15 region's top-ranking academic and research institutions.

The first phase of operation of GMSARN was to establish the structure for networking for collaboration among leading academic and research institutes in GMS region. Now in the second phase, GMSARN will strive to develop high-level academicians and researchers for networking. Thus, AIT has received funding from the Royal Thai Government to establish 10 scholarships to assist human resource development in these thematic areas deemed important for GMS: (1) Infrastructure Development (2) Energy Technology (3) Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Development and (4) Environmental Engineering and Management. A full scholarship will be granted to qualified candidates with excellent undergraduate achievements from any of the other 5 countries in GMS to pursue a master’s degree at AIT.

Details of the Scholarships

The scholarships provide an opportunity for students of diverse backgrounds from all countries in Asia to study and do research work together in the truly international environment at AIT, to build a good foundation for international understanding among people of Asia.

Each scholarship award covers tuition and fees, accommodation, and a bursary for living expenses in AIT’s residential campus, for the entire period of the 22-month master’s degree program, with values as shown in the following table:

Tuition and registration fees for 4 semesters	752,000  Baht
Accommodation and bursary for living expenses for 22 months	214,500  Baht
Total Value of Scholarship ( ~ 31 Thai Baht = 1 USD)	966,500 Baht

Who are Eligible to apply?

·          Any citizen of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China (Yunnan & Guanxi Provinces).

·          Graduated in related fields from accredited institution.

·          Have a good education record in a 4-year undergraduate program with CGPA above 3.5 or equivalent, and high proficiency in English (a TOEFL score of 550 or equivalent).