Practical GE Modelling - the CoPS/Impact Way

This course is offered four times in 2008:

Demand has exceeded supply in recent years, so book early. Please note that participants in the Prato and ANU courses will need to bring their own laptops.

We are considering running this course in Beijing during late 2008 or 2009. If you are interested in this possibility, contact Dr Yin Hua Mai.

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.

In July 2008 the Practical GE Modelling Course will be followed by the optional shorter course: Constructing a CGE Data Base which gives participants the conceptual and computer skills required to turn raw data into a data base for a CGE model.

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.

July Course Program at Monash

The course program will consist of lectures integrated with extensive hands-on experience with modelling in GEMPACK. Much of the course will be conducted in a computer laboratory with a fast PC for each participant. The course is designed as an intensive live-in program, with fairly long work hours. 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
Dinner: 7.00-8.15pm

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
Dinner: 7.00-8.15pm

Wednesday: commence 8.45am
Computing: adding new data,variables, and equations
Theoretical structure of ORANI-G (continued)
Computing: wage simulation with ORANI-G
Dinner: 7.00-8.15pm

Thursday: commence 8.45am
Analysing the wage simulation
Computing: using subtotals
Top-down regional CGE modelling
Group simulations with ORANI-G
Dinner: 7.00-8.15pm
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 2008

May 2008 update: we are now obliged to charge GST for both Australian and overseas participants.

$A3850 (academic or student)
$A4750 (other)

The fee includes GST and covers course materials (including software), morning and afternoon teas and 4 dinners. It does not cover accommodation, breakfast or lunches.

Applications and Payment Details

September Course Program at Prato

The Prato course program, materials, software and documentation resemble those of the Monash Clayton program, in all respects other than:

We are presently taking bookings for the Prato Practical GE Course. Please contact Louise Pinchen to secure your booking. If there is sufficient interest in a subsequent offering of the CGE Data Base Course we will offer this in the week following the Practical GE Course. If you are attending the Prato Practical GE course and have an interest in a subsequent data course, please register your interest with Louise Pinchen.

Constructing a CGE Data Base Course

July 7-9 2008, Monash University

There is a limit of 15 people, and demand has exceeded supply in recent years, so book early.

Rationale for the Constructing a Data Base Course

This course gives participants the conceptual and computer skills required to turn raw data into a CGE data base. For example, the course teaches how to convert input-output data of another country to a data base which can be used with the theory of the ORANI-G model to make a GE model of that country.

Data Course Outline

Many modellers will wish to construct their own database, either from scratch, or by extending or modifying the database of an existing CGE model. This course introduces students to the skills required:

Data Course Program

The formal part of the course lasts for 2 full days, as follows:

Monday
am Data manipulation operations
pm Data base overview, Checking raw data

Tuesday
am Converting raw data
pm Aggregating and disaggregating

Wednesday
The third day is available for individual consultation concerning participant's own data.

Assumed Background for Data Course

This course is a little more technically demanding than the Practical GE Modelling course. It assumes that participants have attended one of the Practical GE Modelling or MONASH Model Courses (or the equivalent).

Other Details

There is a limit of 15 participants so early registration is recommended.

Participants bringing their own data may arrange an individual consultation with Mark Horridge on one of the three days immediately after the course.

Data Course Fees 2008

$A1350 for the participants at this year's Practical GE Modelling Course
$A1850 for those who did not attend this year's Practical GE Course.

The fee includes GST and covers course materials (including software), morning and afternoon teas and 2 dinners. It does not cover accommodation, breakfast or lunches.

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) 9905 2426 from overseas +613 9905 2426

Options for payment can be found on the registration form.

Accommodation

Participants are required to arrange their own accommodation. Options for accommodation are available here.

Australian Course: Monash Clayton Campus, transport, maps and facilities

See here for advice about getting to Monash Clayton campus, sporting facilities at Clayton, and Australian visa applications.

Italian Course: Monash Prato Centre, transport, maps and facilities

See here for advice about getting to Prato, accommodation, and local attractions. Applicants should contact local Italian embassy or consulate staff for advice on visa types and application procedures relating to their country of origin.

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) 9905 2426 from overseas +613 9905 2426


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