“PAQS had the privilege of welcoming ASAQS as our associate member last November, but our bonding with ASAQS started much earlier. It had indeed been a progressive, interactive process,” said Leung.
The ASAQS has attended the PAQS board meetings since its inception 22 years ago with the status of a non-voting observer organisation. At the PAQS board meeting of November 2018, member countries unanimously recognised that the ASAQS had steadfastly contributed to the development of PAQS over the years and that special recognition was needed despite South Africa not falling within the geographical region of the PAQS.
“With some amendments to the constitution, the PAQS formally welcomed the ASAQS to PAQS, which now has the membership of 15 countries collectively pursuing the interests of over 40,000 professionals and practitioners. ASAQS has been instrumental in introducing PAQS country members to the African practices and markets,” says Leung.
Some of the responsibilities that go along with being an associate member include uplifting the industry, extending help to other members, and active participation in the various committees and activities on research, education and accreditation, sustainability, BIM, and international and external affairs.
“The objective of quantity surveying is to optimise value for money for the planning, procurement, delivery and operation of construction and facilities. There is a lot we can do to excel our services and to collaborate with other stakeholders for improving and sustaining the built environment. At an industry level, we are witnessing rapid changes brought about by advancement of technology, sharing economy and the move towards collaborative contracting and early contractors’ involvement,” says Leung.
Larry Feinberg, executive director of the ASAQS, says that while associate members carry no voting rights, the change in membership status will allow the ASAQS to be appointed to any of the PAQS working committees and have all rights to PAQS research and documents.
“The ASAQS is deeply honoured to be recognised and accepted as the PAQS’s first and only associate member. This recognition elevates the status of South African quantity surveyors among an internationally recognised group of professionals. The ASAQS will continue to cooperate with strategic partners outside of South Africa’s borders so that our members and our profession will have a strong voice and continue to be considered as key role players on the global playing field, despite South Africa’s remote location,” concludes Feinberg.
