A Visit from Dr. Nik Elyna

21th August 2014 (Thursday)

I can’t believe how fast it was, and we were already at the end of the 3^rd week of our stay in Liverpool. Today there's not much different, we went to the class as usual. The only different was that the class today was not a lecture class but was an exam support session. I love this session because we don’t have it in our university. The lecturers used this session to help us to answer the questions for the exam. They were not giving us the exam tips but was teaching us on how to set up our mindset to think and answer the question. In Malaysia, lecturers will give us the exam tips. I’m not saying that is not good but I just love the way they do it at LJMU rather than just giving us the tips.

On the evening, every house needs to prepare some food for dinner because our lecturer Dr. Nik Elyna is coming to visit our accommodation. Tonight, around 9pm Dr. Nik Elyna and her family reached our accommodation. We are so happy to see her there and of course her son and the baby. 

Written by: Phang Zi Jian

Mal's Lecture

11th August 2014 (Monday)

Today we have both morning and afternoon lecture sessions with Mal Ashall. As usual, Mal taught us through his style of teaching and learning where he stimulates our ideas by asking us questions little by little. This was also to ensure that we doesn't get bored along his lectures. Through the learning process, Mal also allowed us to do discussions among our groups in order to generates more and better ideas. Then he would go around to each table to listen and gave comments along the discussions.

For the morning lecture, it was on the Health and Safety in FM. In which we have to understand the roles and responsibilities of the Facilities Manager in the aspect of health and safety of the building occupants. These were done by identifying the hazards and risks in the workplace, doing arrangements for emergencies and business interruption, determining the value of accident reporting procedures, providing process in order to meet the needs of the users and be able to check the competencies required in providing the services. Mal trying his best to finished it earlier for us so we could go for lunch which was before 1pm in the afternoon. The afternoon lecture was about the Budget in FM where we learned how investment decisions can be made. In FM's budget, the impact of all costs, rather than just Capex were also need to be considered and we also need to understand what the impact costs have on the building and FM management.

After the lecture sessions ended, as usual we went back to Liberty Atlantic doing our own stuff, cooking and eating, discussion on the coursework and a goodnight sleep.

That's all from me today and thank you for reading this.

Written by: Adam Sufian

Goodison Park and Finch Farm, Everton

20th August 2014

Today is Wednesday, according to the time table given to us by Dr. Nazali Noor, there's a study visit to Everton Football Club stadium, Goodison Park and Finch Farm, it's training facilities. And that is exactly what we did. We all gathered in front of the Liberty Atlantic Point at 9.15 a.m. sharp. Everyone behaved including Q and Nabila and no one was late today. Dr. Naz was a happy man indeed. The bus arrived and we hit the road to Goodison Park at 9.20 a.m. We reached there around 9.30 a.m.

Everyone entering the bus excitedly 

Everton Football Club stadium, Goodison Park

Upon reaching there, we waited outside the stadium for about half an hour, because the appointment was at 10 a.m. After it reached 10 a.m., we entered the stadium and were escorted to the meeting room. Breakfast was provided. Coffee, tea and biscuits was served. Not long after, Richard Cairnns, the facilities manager of the stadium arrived. While we enjoy the free breakfast, Richard introduced himself and start the presentation. Since it is a football stadium, the core business is football. Helping the facilities manager are 3 facilities operative/general handy man. They not only provide a football field and training facilities, they also ensure the health and well being of the current squad and this means providing a clean, safe and comfortable environment. The stadium needs to be operational for 30 matches every year, be able to accommodate 41000 spectators and up to 1000 staff. Safety is the most important thing and all matches are run in accordance to current legislation. There are also chef, kitchen staff and laundry staff. Plumber, electrician from Goodison Park to Finch Farm if required. However, major maintenance on the off season, contractors are hired. Works required by legislation takes priority. Works required by the Premier League and FA comes next. Other works are prioritized by how they affect the core business. 

Everyone enjoying their free breakfast, especially Zea's crush, Adam. *sorry Adam and Zea. huhu

After Richard finished his presentation, we continued the study visit by touring the stadium. We are separated into two groups, one group is being guided by Richard and the second group are being guided by John, the Health and Safety Manager. 

Richard Cairnns and the most handsome man in the room

View of the stadium from the highest point of the stadium (1)

Dressing Room (where the players change and given pep talk by the manager)

Exercise equipment are also provided in the dressing room

One of many lounge in the stadium

The hallway where players use to walk from the dressing room to the football pitch

View of the stadium from the highest point of the stadium (2)

After the tour finished, around 12.00 p.m. we were escorted to the cafeteria where lunch was provided. Unfortunately it was only free for some of the students. Apparently, they were the best group and Dr. Naz paid for their lunch and the rest of us, we have to pay on our own. We ate rice with chicken added with fries. Kamarul Ihsan nearly eat pork, fortunately someone warned him before he eat it. He thought it was lamb. 

Everyone enjoying their lunch especially the ones who ate it for free

Syukri, Mike and Umair smile as their stomach is filled with delicious food. Not sure why Syukri wear shades indoor. 

After all of our empty stomach are treated with delicious food, we continued our study visit to Finch Farm, Everton training facilities. The journey took almost half an hour, it is quite far from the stadium. Unfortunately all the first team players are on holiday. Bummer. Wanted to meet the first team player and maybe play some football with them. The Finch Farm is a training complex for the Everton's players including the academy players. Energy and environmental consideration were paramount. The facility can be run and maintained by a relatively small in house maintenance crew. Latest technology which conserve energy are used. 

Finch Farm entrance

Finch Farm, Everton FC training facilites

Umair and Adam certainly enjoyed their study trip. *I think Zea will like this picture, you're welcome

Written by: Omarulhanif Bin Shahruddin #YNWA

Weekend in Liverpool

17^th August 2014,

Today, some of the students who stays in London are coming back to Liverpool. They are Dania, Omar, Koh, Phang, Lucas and Jeny. Some of them are still staying in London and will be coming back tomorrow night. Today, we planned to go to Anfield. Some of us went there to watch a football match, Liverpool vs Southampton and some of us who didn’t have the ticket just went there for sightseeing.

On the way to Anfield, we decided to go to a car boot sale at Stanley Road, Bootle. It has about 50 sellers here and most of them sell clothes, kitchen utensils, electrical devices and antique things. Me, Dayang, KI, Zea, Thera and Lily who went to the car boot sale have split into two groups.  Me, Dayang and KI in one group and the rest is in the other group.

Car Boot Sale

Car Boot Sale

After that, the first group had decided to go to Anfield and the other group decided to go to Liverpool City Centre. We took a bus to Anfield but we ended up getting on the bus that’s going on a longer trip. In the end, we decided to get down from the bus and walk all the way to Anfield which in all took about 46 minutes to go to the stadium.

The group that didn’t go to the car boot sale went straight to Anfield Stadium at 10.30 on foot. They actually have a ticket for the Liverpool vs Southampton match. We who don’t have the ticket decides to just walk around the stadium, took some pictures and bought some souvenirs from the Liverpool FC shop. We spent our time at Anfield till evening at about 2 o’clock.

People walking to Anfield Stadium 

People walking around the stadium before the match started

After that, we went back to Liverpool City Center by bus. At the city centre, we spend an hour of our time shopping at Liverpool One and Primark. On the way back, me and Dayang got to watch a special charity performance made for Gaza in front of Liverpool One. They marched around the area while playing drums to catch the crowd’s attention and thus encouraging them to donate for charity. It is so much fun that a few kids even joined the march and dance along with the music.

Gaza Donation Performance

Gaza Donation Performance

It was so much fun. Then, we head back home. At night, I just spend my time with Dayang, cooking our dinner and had some good girls talk with just the two of us since there’s only the two of us home. That’s it for my entry. Hope you enjoyed reading.

Written by: Nur Farhani

Karipap Free

Hye all.

It's my turn today to update this journal. Today, our first class were with the fit man, Mal Ashall. We've been told that our topic with him today was about Business Relocation Strategy. As the day start, three of us went to James Parson Building at 8.30 am. On our way there, we already saw Mal parking his car near to our place. So after 15 minutes we got into our class, Mal arrived. He greet us with his smile and told that he actually guessed that the three of us will be the first to be in the class. So, what we do then? We got some photo with him to start our day while we were waiting for the others to come. 

Mal started his class today right after all of us came. He asked us to choose whether we want him to give lecture by the slides or just answering to his quick question on what we are going to learn. So we start our class by answering his question on why are we going to relocate our business.

Basically, a business will be relocate if there were some problem arises to their current place such as the rising in the cost of facility and also in the change of target market. Mal finished his class very early today and all of us can enjoy our lunch hour very well and we could include our catnap for a while. 

Before we start our afternoon session, we were surprised by Mr. Naz as he gave 'kuih karipap' for us. What a nice malaysian kuih we ate here. We actually craved for the 'karipap' since last week.

Then, Mr. Naz started his lecture on Legal Responsibilities in FM. We really had fun in his class because he used best example from his experience working with HSBC before. 

After his class finished, Mr. Naz and all of us discussed about our main program for this Saturday where we were going to have a BBQ session. We discussed about what type of food and how much we'll be contributing for the event.

When we came back to our place at 4.00 pm, 3 of us cooked together. Today we gonna eat Nasi Ayam Liverpool version. Hehe. 

My group for the coursework will be doing some discussion today on the SWOT, service delivery and innovation for our Aldham Robarts library. 

Thats all for today, thanks.

Written by: Lily Jamal

London, Day Two

15^th August 2014

It’s the second day of the London trip. Just a quick recap for the first day of the London trip. A short tour around London while on our way to the RICS  Headquarters,  after the visit, checked in the Hotel of Royal National London, dinner at a Malaysian owned restaurant called Kerisik, got separated from Mr Naz and are lost most of the time.

It’s somewhat like the movie Finding Nemo. Got separated,  a rescue mission was sent, then finding way back home, while having numerous wonderful adventures. But in this case, no rescue mission was sent. We find our way back by picking up trails from the policemens and from a few really nice people here in London. We’re lost in the middle of the city but still, we managed to find our way back while stopping here and there, and enjoying the nice view of London, the city that never sleeps.

Walking in a group of seventeen people really helps reducing the anxiety of getting lost in a big city. It also helps in making the trip more fun and adventurous while creating a stronger bonds between us.  And somewhat it feels like a school field trip. A win win situation here J  “A night tour around London”.  Few stops here and there, a few photo sessions here and there (a must! (^-^v) ) but mostly just enjoying the wonderful night view of London.

(P/S: The guys even got invited to the pent house for clubbing. But thankfully, they refused due to their strong imaan. LOL)

The five guys at the iconic "Dayyum Song".

Covent Garden, London

Another group selfie at Covent Garden, London

KI finally found his long lost shop :)

Group selfie at the center of Piccadily Circus, London

The biggest M&M shop, M&M World, London.

KI with Julie Kortens after the talk session

Back on track, on the second day 15^th August 2014, we went to Channel  4 and Battersea Power Station Development Company.  During our visit to Channel 4, we were greeted by two very beautiful ladies that worked alongside with Julie Kortens the Head of Corporate Services at Channel 4 , one of the most highly regarded within the FM industry whom was FM of the Year in 2010, and currently was the Chairman of BIFM .

We got to know a little bit about the FM managements of the building before we were taken on a tour in the Channel 4 building. The building was very neatly designed and furnished with colourful features. We were told that careful considerations were made before deciding the designs of the building. The users of the buildings needs and thoughts are also included in the design of it and to make it closer to their hearts and so that to make them more motivated to work in the building itself.

Got to met Jane,a building Surveyor in action.

The building also are changed frequently  according to the events and the needs that follows with the Channel and the staffs itself. How the changes are made without much difficulties really amazes me. When Julie was asked on how she manages it, she gave us one simple and direct answer  “Communication” and that really was spot on. Nothing was more important than good communication. We also got to met the BS of Channel 4, Jane in action.

Group photo session after the session at Channel 4.

After a few hours of discussions, out trip to Channel 4 ended with a group photo session outside of the building.  Channel 4 was a really good example of one of the best facilities managed building in UK. After the visit to Channel 4, we went to buy a takeway at Chicken Express. We got separated again  because there's not enough chairs at the restaurant. We went to find a spot at a nearby garden.

It's such a beautiful place where people sat down and relax while having their food. We're accompanied by a flock of pidgeons whom are friendly enough even to pick up foods put on our foot. Enjoying  such a wonderful  and warm time with the guys at the park is such a memorable experience that i wouldn't want to forget ever.

The routine photo session as usual. 

We later on visited the construction site of Battersea Power Station. Battersea Power Station is a mega project in UK, that’s being led by a few major investors of Malaysian company such as SP Setia, Sime Darby and KWSP. It’s such an honor to know that Malaysia is the one who contributes much to this mega project.

Battersea Power Station is also one of the most controversial project in Malaysia. A construction of a phase 2 protected building, careful consideration needs to be done while carrying out the works to make sure that the building façade will not be affected. One of the most important thing that stands out here at the Battersea Power Station is the Personal Protective Equipments (PPE). Health and safety really are important here in UK.

You need to wear gloves, goggles, safety boots and helmets at all time. The road is off limit to pedestrians even when there’s no car ahead or behind us. A specific pedestrian walk is made to ensure the safety of everyone. The entrance to the construction is heavily guarded. And merit system is used for the workers. If a worker exceeds 9, meaning he's done countless times of mistakes, he’ll be dismissed and wouldn’t be allowed to work there again.

Group photo session after  the tour around Battersea Power Station.

                                   

And as usual at the end of the visit, we took a group photo and heads out back home. Some of us that didn’t go back to Liverpool whom decides to stay for a few days were lead by Tim and Mike to the nearest train station and then we head out to our different ways. For the others, they stayed in  London for a couple more days. But for me, I went alone to York visiting my friend who’s currently studying in York University.

So that’s the end of my so ‘short’ entry. Thank you for reading. Thank you also to the  various peeps who contributed to the pictures and this entry. Roger and out. Kbai J

Written by: Nur Aqilah Zamri

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Potluck

7^th August 2014 (Thursday)

Today we had a workshop with Matthew Tuckker (Matt). This workshop was actually a discussion session between group members and lecturer. He was discussing with us about the coursework task given to us. He explained about one of the evaluation criteria for the coursework which is the SWOT analysis and evaluation. SWOT is a tool that helps identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of a body or an organisation.

Matt explaining to us

For the coursework, we have to do a SWOT analysis for the current building and the impact on the maintenance and FM services to be provided. In order to prepare our SWOT analysis, Matt asked us to be rational and put in our logic thinking in the decision. Every groups were provided with two sheets of A1 paper to list out and brainstormed the SWOT analysis of the case study building (Aldham Robarts Learning Centre) by considering of respective issues which are: core business requirements, customers/students, building/technology, space requirements, sustainability, procurement, and cost. Before the lunch break, he gave us an hour to work on our own in our group at the computer lab.

Group discussion session

For the lunch break, we (the girls) had our own meals that we have prepared from the morning while the boys prefer to walk back to the accommodation place to have their lunch.

We continued our learning session with Michael Farragher (Mike) after the lunch break. Mike explained to us about the sustainability and design of a building. An hour before the session ended, he took us to the computer lab and thought us how to use a software to draw a building plan which is called Revit. Revit is much easier to be used compared to AutoCAD software that we have learned before. Before the class ended, Mike also helped some of our colleague to register in a gym that was provided by LJMU.

After the class ended, we decided to do our own activities. Aqilah and I goes to the Lime Street Station to purchase an advance train ticket for a journey from London to York as Aqilah had decided to meet her friend that is studying in York. After that, we headed to Liverpool One and Queen Square area to buy some groceries as we planned to have a Yassin recitation together that night. For the Yassin recitation, we have decided to do it at the boys flat and we were having our meals by potluck. Our house decided to prepare vegetables soup, chicken in soy sauce and curry eggplant. The boys prepared pizzas and cooked rice for us while the other girls house cooked chicken in red chilly sauce and omelettes. The Chinese are not joining us as they already have their dinner and they are too tired.

Written by: Dg Badariah

p/s; sorry for the late upload. My previous post have been accidentaly deleted by my colleague.