Practical GE Modelling - the CoPS/Impact Way

Demand has exceeded supply in recent years, so book early. Please note that participants need to bring their own laptops, and install GEMPACK before the course.

The further details below apply to the course usually held at Monash in July. Courses held elsewhere may differ slightly.

Summary

The Centre of Policy Studies and Impact Project at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia will offer an intensive one-week course introducing participants to computable general equilibrium modelling and to the GEMPACK software used to solve equilibrium models.

The course focuses on a typical single-region applied general equilibrium model: the ORANI-G model of the Australian economy. Variants of the ORANI model of the Australian economy have been used extensively for policy analysis in Australia for more than two decades. ORANI-G (a generic version of ORANI) has been used as the basis of many single-country models including models of Thailand, China, Brazil, South Africa, Pakistan, the Philippines and Denmark. GEMPACK software is used by research workers in over 300 different locations in 50 or so countries around the world.

Rationale for the Practical GE Modelling Course

The course should appeal to

Course Outline

The course aims to introduce participants to the ideas and techniques of CGE modelling, and to equip them to start using, adapting or constructing CGE models for their own simulations. By the end of the course, participants will have acquired thorough knowledge of:

The course is based around the ORANI-G model -- a generic version of the original Australian ORANI model. In the course, an Australian database is used, but ORANI-G has been applied or adapted to create models of many other countries. ORANI-G's theoretical structure is typical of that shared by most other CGE models, so that an understanding of ORANI-G and the GEMPACK software used with it will equip participants to understand or construct other CGE models.

Course Program

The course program will consist of lectures integrated with hands-on experience with modelling in GEMPACK. It is intensive, with fairly long work hours. Times and meal arrangements vary according to course location, but typically the course material and program are as follows.

Monday: commence 9.00am
The basic structure of a CGE model
Introduction to the ORANI-G model
Overview of GEMPACK software
Computing: Looking at the data for ORANI-G

Tuesday: commence 8.45am
The theoretical structure of ORANI-G
Computing: tariff cut with ORANI-G
Computing: Analysing how equations and data affect simulation results

Wednesday: commence 8.45am
Computing: adding new data,variables, and equations
Theoretical structure of ORANI-G (continued)
Computing: wage simulation with ORANI-G

Thursday: commence 8.45am
Analysing the wage simulation
Computing: using subtotals
Top-down regional CGE modelling
Group simulations with ORANI-G
Group simulations with ORANI-G: Analysis of results.

Friday: commence 8.45am
Group simulations with ORANI-G: Report preparation.
Group presentation of reports on ORANI-G
Course ends 4.00pm

Documentation and Software

Course participants receive a folder, containing

At the end of the course participants receive one or more CDs, containing

Assumed Background

Previous hands-on experience in solving GE models is not required. We expect that course participants have:

Preparing for the course

You should study some material prior to the course. Download and work through the MINIMAL course material. The MINIMAL model and course are simplified versions of the ORANI-G model and course -- and use similar notation and software. To go further, you could:

Course Fees

$A4000 (academic or student)
$A5500 (government)
$A7500 (consulting firms)
$A3500 (overseas participants)

The fee includes GST and covers course materials (including software), morning and afternoon teas and 5 lunches. It does not cover accommodation, breakfast or dinner.

Applications and Payment Details

Registration and Payment

A registration form can be downloaded and emailed or faxed to

Louise Pinchen
Centre of Policy Studies and Impact Project
Monash University
Wellington Road
Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
phone: (03) 9905 5112 from overseas +613 9905 5112
fax: (03) 9543 8416 from overseas +613 9543 8416

Options for payment can be found on the registration form.

Accommodation

Direct link for Rydges Hotel course rate link

Additional information is available from:

Louise Pinchen phone: (03) 9905 5112 from overseas +613 9905 5112

Dr Glyn Wittwer phone: (03) 9905 5421 from overseas +613 9905 5421

Prof Mark Horridge phone: (03) 9905 2464 from overseas +613 9905 2464

or fax any of the above at: (03) 9543 8416 from overseas +613 9543 8416


See also:
Main Training Courses page
CGE Data Base Course
Previous course photos