National Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka (NITESL)

Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training

National Diploma in Quantity Surveying

(NDQS)
Distance Learning

Course Hand Book

2007/2009
National Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka

No. 100, Kandawala Road

Ratmalana, Sri Lanka

Tel: 0094112624405, Fax: 0094112622461

Email: ndqs2007_nitesl@yahoo.com
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National Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka (NITESL)

The Institute was established in 1983 as the National Technical Teacher Training
College (NTTTC) and it was renamed as the National Institute of Technical Education
(NITE) in 1994. The Institute became a statutory body in the year 1999 as the National
Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka (NITESL) under the Parliamentary Act No.
59 of 1998. In the near future, the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC) will
be established in the premises of NITESL. The university comprises of three faculties;
namely Faculty of Training Technology, Faculty of Industrial Technology and Faculty of
Vocational technology. The National Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka will be
restructured as the Faculty of Training Technology, which will provide the trainers in the
sector to uplift their professional qualifications to degree and post graduate levels and in
the same way for those who are in the industry and other training institutes can study for
a degree in the respective faculties.

OUR VISION

To facilitate the development of demand driven

Technically skilled training staff in the

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector in Sri Lanka

OUR MISSION

To provide services of Human Resources Development,

Curriculum Development and

Instructional Resource Materials Development for the

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector in Sri Lanka

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National Diploma in Quantity Surveying (NDQS) Distance Learning

INTRODUCTION:

Construction is one of the fastest growing industries in the world as well as in Sri Lanka. The
development of new technology and new industrial knowledge and the increased emphasis on
infrastructure development gave rise to the present status of the construction industry.

Today, construction offers a wide range of job opportunities for those who seek high profile,
lucrative and satisfying career.

The Quantity Surveyor is a highly acclaimed profession within the construction Industry and a
well-qualified and well-experienced Quantity Surveyor plays an indispensable role in the Industry
and is highly demanded both locally and internationally. Quantity surveyors provide a range of
services, including cost advice and forecasting, contractual advice, cost control and financial
management of construction projects from the inception to completion. This type of work
provides an excellent basis for progression to management positions throughout the industry.

According to the Labour Market Information Bulletin (2006) published by the Tertiary and
Vocational Education Commission Quantity Surveyor is ranked as the forth most demanded
overseas profession. Especially they have excellent career opportunities in the Middle Eastern
region including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The proposed course is designed for the practicing Quantity Surveyors employed in the Middle
Eastern countries who are facing difficulties in obtaining further professional advancement
through higher qualifications due to the non-availability of a Diploma level course in Quantity
Surveying.

The course was initiated by a request from the Association of Practicing Quantity Surveyors and
Estimators - Sri Lanka on behalf of the practicing Sri Lankan Quantity Surveyors in Dubai.

This course is an extension of the National Diploma in Quantity Surveying (NDQS) two year part-
time (weekend) course which is conducted at the National Institute of Technical Education of Sri
Lanka (NITESL) targeting the practicing Quantity Surveyors in Sri Lanka.

The Parliament Act No. 59 of 1998 of the National Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka,
which came into operation with effect from 08th January 1999, has vested the powers on the
Institution under Section 4 of PART -II, to award certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, and
other academic distinctions by conducting education and training programmes through different
modes of instruction for persons who wish to qualify in the field of technical and vocational
education and training.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:

To provide trainees with knowledge, skills and attitudes required to perform duties and
responsibilities confidently and competently as Quantity Surveyors.

To stimulate the career development of the Quantity Surveyors serving in the

construction Industry.

To enable the trainees to possess a recognized qualification in Quantity Surveying, that

provides a firm base for higher education.

DURATION:

2 years (4 semesters – 20 weeks per semester)

TARGET GROUP:

Practicing Quantity Surveyors in Middle Eastern countries with the qualifications and experience
specified below.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

National Certificate in Technology (NCT) in Quantity Surveying

OR

National Certificate in Technology (NCT) in Civil Engineering

National Diploma in Engineering Science (NDES), in Civil Engineering

National Diploma in Technology (NDT), in Civil Engineering

Higher National Diploma in Engineering (HNDE), in Civil Engineering

City & Guilds Parts I & II in Quantity Surveying

Diploma in Technology – Open University of Sri Lanka in Civil Engineering

Any other relevant qualification approved by the Academic Committee of the NITESL
WITH
Minimum 1 year experience as a Quantity Surveyor

MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION: English

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

Flexible delivery of material including study guides and supplementary material. Tutorial
assistance will be provided by tutors in Dubai. Further assistance will be from Lecturers/Course
developers in Sri Lanka by e-mail, telephone and facsimile. Networking and discussion groups
are encouraged.

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COURSE FEE:

SLR 60,000/= (To be paid in two installments of SLR 30,000/= before registration for each
academic year) to the NITESL.

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE:

Year 1-Semester 1 (Duration- 20 Weeks) Year 1-Semester 2 (Duration- 20 Weeks)

NDQS101- Building Technology

NDQS201- Advanced Building Technology
NDQS102- Quantitative Techniques
NDQS202- Principles of Economics
NDQS103- Communication Skills
NDQS203- Construction Accounting & Finance
NDQS104- Quantity Surveying
NDQS204- Quantity Surveying Practice II
Practice I
NDQS105- Tendering & Estimating
NDQS205- Management Studies
NDQS106- Legal Systems &
NDQS206- Materials & Maintenance Technology
Business Law
NDQS107- Structural Design & NDQS207- Applications of Information
Detailing Technology
NDQS208- Technical Writing

Year 2-Semester 1 (Duration- 20 Weeks) Year 2-Semester 2 (Duration- 20 Weeks)

NDQS301- Building Economics

NDQS302- Environmental
Engineering & Building
Services
NDQS303-Contractual Procedures &
Administration
NDQS304- Civil Engineering
Technology
NDQS305- Construction Decision
Making Techniques
NDQS306 - Land Use & Valuation
NDQS401-Contract Law
NDQS402- Construction Economics
NDQS403-Project Management
NDQS404-Quantity Surveying Practices in
Building Services
NDQS405- Civil Engineering Quantities &
Contracts
NDQS406-Project

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ACADEMIC SCHEDULE – 1st semester/1st Year

Date Event
01.07.2007 Official starting of the course

01.07.2007 – 30.11.2007 (20 weeks) 1st Semester

01.12.2007- 09.12.2007 1st semester examination

The schedule for the remaining semesters of the course will be informed later.

MONITORING OF COURSE:

The following panel will conduct the monitoring activities.

Director General, NITESL

Director (Academic)

Director (Curriculum Development)

Head (Academic Division)

Course Coordinator

Course Co-coordinator

Program Officer, NITESL

President of the APQSE-SL

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EVALUATION CRITERIA:

All modules are assessed by semester end examinations and/or continuous assignments.

Module Semester End Exam Continuous

assessments
NDQS101- Building Technology 60% 40%
NDQS102- Quantitative Techniques 60% 40%
NDQS103- Communication Skills 60% 40%
NDQS104- Quantity Surveying Practice I 40% 60%
NDQS105- Tendering & Estimating 60% 40%
NDQS106- Legal Systems & Business Law 60% 40%
NDQS107- Structural Design & Detailing 60% 40%
NDQS201- Advanced Building Technology 60% 40%
NDQS202- Principles of Economics 60% 40%
NDQS203- Construction Accounting & 60% 40%
Finance
NDQS204- Quantity Surveying Practice II 40% 60%
NDQS205- Management Studies 60% 40%
NDQS206- Materials & Maintenance 60% 40%
Technology
NDQS207- Applications of Information - 100%
Technology
NDQS208- Technical Writing - 100%
NDQS301- Building Economics 60% 40%
NDQS302- Environmental Engineering & 60% 40%
Building Services
NDQS303-Contractual Procedures & 60% 40%
Administration
NDQS304- Civil Engineering Technology 60% 40%
NDQS305- Construction Decision Making 60% 40%
Techniques
NDQS306 Land Use & Valuation 60% 40%
NDQS401-Contract Law 60% 40%
NDQS402- Construction Economics 60% 40%
NDQS403-Project Management 60% 40%
NDQS404-Quantity Surveying Practices in 40% 60%
Building Services
NDQS405- Civil Engineering Quantities & 40% 60%
Contracts
NDQS406-Project - 100%

All semester end examinations will be conducted in Dubai under the supervision of NITESL
representatives.

The participants have to submit minimum of 2 continuous assignments for each module in hard
copy or via Internet.

The following modules will be assessed by continuous assignments only.

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NDQS207- Applications of Information Technology

NDQS208- Technical Writing

The individual final project under the module NDQS406- Project which incorporates all subject
areas taught in the course will be assessed by a project report, a presentation and an interview.

All other modules are assessed by both continuous assessments and the end examination.

To pass a module, the participant should obtain minimum marks (40%) in all continuous
assessments and the semester end examination. When there is only continuous assessments
for a subject the student should obtain minimum of 40% in all assignments.

Grades for Modules:

Grades of performance for the modules will be awarded as follows.

Guideline Grade Description

(%)Module Average

75 and above D Distinction Pass

65 to 74 M Merit Pass
55 to 64 C Credit Pass
40 to 54 S Simple Pass
30 to 39 WP Weak Pass
Below 30 F Fail
If a trainee is unsuccessful in the semester end examination for any module, he/she will be
allowed maximum of two attempts in the next consecutive examinations for the same module. If
a student fails in an assignment the lecturer in charge of the module will assign a suitable second
assignment.

Maximum of one weak pass per a semester and 2 weak passes for the whole course are allowed
without re-examination.

Grading for the Course:

The final grade of performance for the course will be awarded by considering the average of all
four semester averages.

Guideline (%) Grade Description

(Module Average)
75 and above D Distinction Pass
60 to 74 M Merit Pass
40 to 59 S Pass
Below 40 F Fail

To achieve a pass as the final grade, a trainee should obtain at least a pass for all four
semesters.

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CERTIFICATION

The National Diploma in Quantity Surveying (NDQS) certificate will be awarded on successful
completion by the NITESL under the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training.

PARTNERSHIP

Association of Practicing Quantity Surveyors and Estimators – Sri Lanka – UAE Group and the
National Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka.

Association of Practicing Quantity Surveyors and Estimators – Sri Lanka – UAE Group

UAE correspondent:

Mr. D. A. H. Gunaratne, MRICS; AAIQS; AIQS (SL); AMIE (SL); MIIE (SL) I. Eng;
Mem. AACE; Mem. ICC (SL); Mem. SLQA; Reg. Arb. NACSL; Fellow APQSE-SL
Chartered Quantity Surveyor & Engineer
Roads & Transport Authority, Government of Dubai
P. O. Box 118899, Dubai, UAE

Sri Lankan correspondent:

Mr. P. B. G. Wickramasinghe, Tech. RICS (UK), AAIQS, MIIE (SL), I. Eng., Fellow
APQSE (SL), FIDT (SL), ACIOB (UK), Mem. IPM (SL), Reg. Mem. IQS (SL),
President, Association of Quantity Surveyors and Estimators – Sri Lanka,
Director/Chief Quantity Surveyor & Incorporated Engineer (Civil)
Design Team Three (Pvt.) Ltd.,
107 D, Havelock Road,
Colombo 5

Course Coordination at NITESL:

Course Coordinator:

Eng. (Ms.) Ramya Kumanayake

B. Sc. Eng. (Hons), MBA (Colombo), AMIE (SL)
TAFE – Australia accredited Master Trainer
Lecturer (Civil Engineering) / Head, Research Division
National Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka
Tel: 011-2624405 ex: 216
e-mail: ramya_kumanayake@yahoo.com
ndqs2007_nitesl@yahoo.com

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