Computable General Equilibrium Modelling Courses

GEMPACK was first unveiled to the public at a training course, based on the ORANI model, run in 1984 at Melbourne University. At this point GEMPACK would only run on VAX computers -- so there were no Windows programs such as ViewHAR or TABmate. The six previous CGE training courses had used a non-GEMPACK version of ORANI [more history here and here].

2024 Courses

The Introductory Practical GE Modelling Course 15-19 July 2024, delivered in-person at Victoria University's city campus, 370 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne. More details on the course webpage.
The Self-paced Online Introductory Practical GE Modelling Course 29 July - 9 August 2024. This two-week course is aimed at online participants from varied time zones who are prepared to work somewhat independently with help through discussion groups and email. This course covers the same core material as the live course but excludes the group simulations. More details and registration are on the course webpage.
The online self-paced TERM-USA course, 14-25 October 2024. This is a two-week comparative-static regional CGE course based on the TERM-USA model of the United States. TERM-USA is the TERM model paired with a regional database for the USA. In this course we use a 11-region state-based aggregation of the 50 US states. The course format is online and self-paced, meaning participants work largely independently over the two weeks, with support via email and the course portal. More information including how to apply is available on the course webpage.

Some details of previous courses may be seen here, and older course photos are here.

Background

CoPS/Impact has been running regular CGE training courses for 35 years. Each course uses a particular CGE model to teach: the basic theory and structure shared by most CGE models, how such models are represented and solved using GEMPACK, and how to interpret and report model results. At least half of the time is given to lab sessions where participants build skills by completing exercises with detailed written instructions and plenty of personal help. There are usually around 5 students per instructor, and at least 2 instructors have 10 or 20 years of CGE experience.

Several week-long courses are held each year, either in Australia or overseas, drawing participants from a range of countries and backgrounds (see photos).

The CGE courses are of three types: Introductory, Dynamic, or Multi-Regional (see below). Short courses in Advanced GEMPACK use are also regularly offered.

1: Practical GE Modelling Courses

The Practical GE Modelling one-week intensive course introduces participants to practical applied general equilibrium (GE) modelling, and to the GEMPACK software used to solve equilibrium models. In particular the course covers the ORANI-G model of the Australian economy. This course should appeal to those needing background in CGE modelling in order to work with, or understand results from a typical single-country CGE model such as ORANI-G and to those wishing to use the theory of ORANI-G with GEMPACK as the basis for a model of a country other than Australia.

Database Course

2: Dynamic GE Modelling Courses

These courses cover the theory, data, computing and application of policy-relevant dynamic CGE modelling. The courses are built around a dynamic model such as USAGE. These models are used for forecasting and for projecting policy effects as deviations around explicit, realistic baseline forecasts. The emphasis in the dynamic courses is on the underlying economics of the models and the interpretation of results. Nevertheless, participants have considerable opportunity to hone their skills in practical computing using GEMPACK software.

USA Dynamic CGE modelling course

The dynamic CGE (USAGE) course was held June 2018 at the USITC offices in Washington DC. The course presents dynamic general equilibrium modelling as a practical tool for forecasting and policy analysis. It covers theory, computation, application and result interpretation. Participants use an aggregated version of the USAGE model of the U.S. economy. USAGE is a 500-sector dynamic model developed by the Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS) in collaboration with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). More details here.

Beijing Dynamic CGE modelling course

A dynamic CGE course with the ChinaGEM model, was held in December 2015 at Beijing.

3: Regional GE Modelling Courses

TERM course

TERM (The Enormous Regional Model) is a multiregional CGE model of a single country, which is "bottom-up" -- it treats each region as a separate economy. Two key features of TERM are: (a) its ability to solve quickly with a large number of regions or sectors, and (b) its database construction methodology, which allows a multiregional database to be constructed quickly, even with quite limited regional data.

Regional CGE courses, based on the comparative-static version of the TERM model have been held in Australia, China, South Africa and Poland. TERM-based models exist for 6 or more countries, but most examples used during the course are based on the South African version of TERM. See, eg, here or here. From time to time we also offer a Dynamic TERM course.

VURM Course

This week-long course introduces participants to VURM, a detailed multi-regional dynamic CGE model of Australia's six states and two territories. This course was last held in 2015 (photo).

BYO Laptop

Most training courses require that participants bring and use their own laptops, and that they install needed software before travelling to the course. More details here and here.

Downloadable mini-course

Try the free, introductory-level Minimal course. No additional software is needed.

Courses in other places

CoPS has conducted many training courses in other parts of Australia or overseas. Such courses are often tailored to particular needs. To find out more about this option, contact Mark Horridge.