2016-2 GTAP 101 Course: “Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Modeling”

September 12 – October 28, 2016 

The 2016-2 GTAP 101 Course is being organized by the Center for Global Trade Analysis and will be delivered fully online, led by Dr. Mary Burfisher.

What GTAP 101 "Graduates" Are Saying...

• "I attended several CGE courses before and this GTAP 101 course is one of the best courses available. Mary has done a good job. This course is well organized and extremely informative. I would like to recommend anyone who is interested in CGE modelling to take this course."
• Thank you for opening a new world of modelling."
• "The text book is very clear, detailed and the teacher excellent!"
• "It has been very nice experience to learn GTAP models with such an interactive way. I appreciate many advises for my questions. Thank you very much."
• "I really enjoyed the course and the class interactions. Mary and the entire GTAP 101 team were very helpful and professional."

Objective

The objective of the GTAP 101 course is to engage participants in an active, team-based process of learning about the GTAP computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and its use in applied economic policy analysis. The curriculum emphasizes an intuitive and graphical treatment of economic theory in the CGE model, and provides structured experiences in manipulating and running the standard GTAP Model within the RunGTAP software environment. RunGTAP is an intuitive, menu-driven CGE model that minimizes technological hurdles and allows students to quickly begin to focus on their economic thinking and experimentation. The curriculum is geared to advanced undergraduates, graduates and professionals. At the end of the course, participants will be entry-level modelers and more informed consumers of CGE-based analyses. The course also serves as an entry point for developing the technical skills required for the GTAP Short Course.

During the online course, participants will:

• Review core economic theories from macro, micro, trade and public finance and observe how they are operationalized in an applied general equilibrium model;
•  Learn to recognize, control and interpret the theoretically consistent behavior of consumers and producers in the model;
• Observe the aggregated, macroeconomic impacts of microeconomic behaviors;
• Define model experiments that represent real-world issues and problems; and
• Learn to interpret general equilibrium model results by calling on and integrating their knowledge of multiple fields of economic study.
  

Structure

The course is fully delivered online, and is supported by the textbook, Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Models (Burfisher, 2011), which will be provided to all participants. Additional learning resources include audio lectures, guided video simulations, and assessments. Much of the learning will take place through active discussions among the participants and instructor, which are carried out as asynchronous, threaded conversations on the classroom bulletin board. Topics covered in this course include: Database, Demand, Supply, Factor Markets, Trade and Taxes. The course culminates in a group research project which provides participants with a hands-on opportunity to carry out a model experiment and analyze its economy-wide effects.

Application

Individuals interested in taking this course must apply on the GTAP website April 1-June 26, 2016. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline and those individuals accepted will receive an email detailing how to register and submit payment in August. Please note that application does not guarantee acceptance.

Cost

The registration fees for this course are detailed below and include the course textbook as well as instruction during the online course.

• $1,400 (Standard Rate: Developed Country Professionals)
• $600 (Discounted Rate: All Current Students and Developing Country Professionals)
• $100 (Scholarship Rate: A limited number of scholarships are available to applicants residing in a developing country.)

For further information or to apply, please visit the course homepage on the GTAP website at: http://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/events/GTAP101/2016-2/.

24th Annual Short Course in Global Trade Analysis

“Introduction to Applied General Equilibrium Analysis in a Multi-Region Framework”

August 6-12, 2016 in West Lafayette, IN, USA

The 24^th Annual Short Course in Global Trade Analysis is being organized and hosted by the Center for Global Trade Analysis on the campus of Purdue University and will be led by Dr. Roman Keeney, Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics.

What GTAP Short Course "Graduates" Are Saying...

         "Excellent learning environment, teaching and material."

         "Good balance between theory and practical lessons!"

         "I thoroughly enjoyed the course and learned an incredible amount of material in such a short period of time. I look forward to being involved in the GTAP community in the future and using these modelling techniques in my work! Thank you!"

         "I really loved the hands-on part of the course; it was a valuable experience and certainly provided a deeper understanding of the difficult and sophisticated linkages of the model."

         "The course is very comprehensive and offered an opportunity to be introduced to all aspects of CGE modelling (theory, data, GEMPACK and other)."

Background

The objectives of this course are to introduce participants to a standardized framework for conducting global trade analysis in an applied general equilibrium setting, provide hands-on training with software that has been tailored to global trade analysis and give participants the opportunity to interact with economists working on global trade and resource use issues while becoming part of an international network.

Structure

The course will consist of two parts:

Part I:  Online Modules (May 23 – July 24)

Part I is an eight-week online program structured to strength the microeconomic foundations of applied general equilibrium analysis. Each weekly module culminates in a homework assignment. Homework assignments are individually graded so participants receive individualized feedback on their progress. By working through this material in advance of the onsite course, participants will become intimately familiar with the theory behind applied general equilibrium models, the standard GTAP notation as well as the course software. 

Part II: Onsite Intensive Training (August 6-12)

Part II is an intensive, onsite short course consisting of a mix of daily lectures, lab assignments, and informal discussions designed to introduce participants to the basic features of the model and data base. These activities culminate in a major application based on one of the many extensions of the GTAP Model undertaken by small groups and presented on the final day of the course. Each group is assigned two instructors who are intimately familiar with their project to act as resource persons. Participants leave with the capability of designing, conducting, and analyzing their own simulations.

Sample small group applications from past courses include:

·         Introducing Firm Heterogeneity into the GTAP Model

·         Doha Development Round: Impacts on Egypt from the GTAP CGE Model and Database

·         The GTAP-E Model: An Extension of the GTAP Model for Energy and Climate Change Analysis

·         Incorporating Water into GTAP Data Base and Model

·         Linking GE and PE Models for Disaggregated Trade Analysis

·         GTAP-AEZ (Land Use Model)

·         Imperfect Competition

·         Migration

·         Trade and Poverty

·         Special Safeguard Mechanism

Application

Applications for this course are currently being accepted on the GTAP website through February 28. Demand for this course is high; therefore, we strongly encourage early application. Please note that application does not guarantee acceptance.

Cost

The registration fee for this course is $4,000 USD. This fee includes seven days of onsite, individualized instruction in the form of lectures and labs as well as distance-learning prior to the onsite course. The course registration fee also includes daily coffee breaks, six lunches, two receptions and one dinner.

Fellowships

A limited number of fellowships may be available to current students working on, or who are interested in, learning and applying CGE modeling to inform policy debates regarding the most pressing questions related to global economic analysis. The fellowships will cover $2,500 towards the registration fees, reducing the amount owed by the recipient to $1,500 USD.

For further information or to submit an application, please visit the course homepage on the GTAP website at:  http://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/events/Short_Courses/2016/.

19th Annual Conference on Global Economic Analysis “Analytical Foundations for Cooperation in a Multipolar World”

June 15-17, 2016 in Washington, DC

Organized by the Center for Global Trade Analysis and The World Bank.

Background

The goal of the annual conference is to promote the exchange of ideas among economists conducting quantitative analysis of global economic issues. Particular emphasis will be placed on applied general equilibrium methods, data, and application. Related theoretical and applied work is also welcome.

The overall theme of the conference is "Analytical Foundations for Cooperation in a Multipolar World" with sub-themes on:

• Perspectives and policies for sustainable, inclusive growth
• Poverty and inequality in a rapidly changing world
• Sustainable development for the 21st Century
• Structural transformation in a changing world
• Implications of the internet for the world economy with sub-themes of trade in digital goods and NTMs

Submissions

Abstracts and organized session proposals are currently being accepted on the GTAP website through January 15. Please visit the conference homepage for further details.

Scholarships

The Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University and GAMS Development Corporation have graciously provided funding to offer scholarships to participants with papers accepted into the conference. The CoPS scholarship is named in memory of the late Ken Pearson, and the GAMs in recognition of Thomas Rutherford. Both scholarships are aimed to support the participation of promising young researchers at the conference and encourage their contributions to the use and further development of analytical software for CGE modelling. Please visit the conference homepage for further details on eligibility and application.

Registration

Registrations for this event will be accepted from early January through April 30. Rates will be posted in the near future.

For further information or to submit an abstract or session proposal, please visit the conference homepage on the GTAP website at: http://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/events/conferences/2016/.