The Department of Building Sciences was recently visited by a panel from the South African Council for Quantity Surveying Professionals (SACQSP). They were accompanied by an observer group consisting of members of the South African Construction Management Council, South African Construction Project Management Council, Chartered Institute of Building, and the Association of Schools of Construction of South Africa.

The purpose of SACQSP’s visit was to investigate issues such as student registration; graduation records; course files; lecturers' notes; assignment briefs and completed assignments provided by students; prescribed reading; examination papers; students' answer scripts; examiners’ mark sheets; and external examiners' reports.

A substantial amount of time was also spent on discussions with senior management, staff members and students of the department.

Willie van Rensburg, Head of the Department of Building Sciences, says he is very excited about the positive outcome of their discussions. Prof Gaye le Roux, the chairperson of SACQSP, also indicated a positive outcome.

An official written report will be sent to the Department in August 2009.