This course will be held at Monash during September 28 - October 2, 2009.
Please send queries and registrations of interest to Louise
Pinchen.
Numbers will be limited to approximately 20 persons, who must each bring and use their
own laptop.
This course introduces participants to regional computable general equilibrium modelling. Participants will also acquire hands-on experience with GEMPACK software, used to solve CGE models. The course is structured around MMRF, the Monash Multi-Regional Forecasting model. MMRF is a flexible aggregation, dynamic model. It is a bottom-up regional model, containing a combination of Australia's six states and two territories. The model is widely used as a tool for regional economic analysis. Applications have included evaluations of the consequences of changes in regional and national fiscal policy, cost-benefit assessments of large projects and major events, impacts of competition policy reforms, and analysis of greenhouse issues. Versions of the model have also been used in Brazil.
The course should appeal to:
The course aims to introduce participants to the ideas and techniques of regional CGE modelling, and to equip them to start using, adapting or constructing such models for their own simulations. By the end of the course, participants will have been introduced to:
The course is delivered as an integrated series of lectures and hands-on practical computing exercises. 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
Introduction to basic structure of a regional CGE model
Theoretical structure of the MMRF model
Overview of GEMPACK software
Computing: introductory simulation, hands-on with GEMPACK
Tuesday: commence 9.00am
Theoretical structure of the MMRF model (continued)
Computing: terms of trade shock with MMRF
Computing: analysing how data and equations affect simulation results
Wednesday: commence 9.00am
Forecasting and policy simulations with MMRF
Computing: dynamic policy simulations with MMRF
Thursday: commence 9.00am
Interpreting results of dynamic policy analysis
Introduction to the TERM model
Group simulations with MMRF
Friday: commence 9.00am
Group simulations with MMRF: report preparation
Group presentations on MMRF reports
Course ends approximately 4:30pm
Course participants receive a folder, containing:
At the end of the course participants receive one or more CDs, containing:
Note: If you wished to contruct and run your own multi-regional CGE model, perhaps by adapting MMRF, you would need a Source code GEMPACK licence. This is not supplied as part of the course materials.
Previous hands-on experience in solving GE models is not required, although students will find it helpful to have attended a GEMPACK-based training course such as the Practical GE Modelling course or the GTAP course.
We expect that course participants have:
You should study some material prior to the course, especially if you are new to GEMPACK (or your GEMPACK skills are rusty). Two single-region CGE models, both designed for teaching and both using similar notation to MMRF, are good introductions to the basic structure of MMRF: the very simple MINIMAL model and the more complex ORANI-G model. We suggest that you:
Unlike our other courses at Monash, you must use your own laptop for the Regional CGE course. See these Laptop Requirements.
All fees include GST:
$A3850 (academic or student)
$A4750 (other)
This covers course materials (including software), morning and afternoon teas and 4 dinners. It does not cover accommodation, lunch or breakfast.
Applications and Payment Details
See here for advice about getting to Monash Clayton campus, sporting facilities at Clayton, and Australian visa applications.
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.
Participants are required to arrange their own accommodation. Some options for accommodation are available here.
Go back to the CGE Courses page