| Date: | 27 November – 1 December, 2016 |
| Location: | Crowne Plaza Dubai – Deira [map] |
| Salahuddin Road | |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates | |
| Tel: +971 4 262 5555 | |
| Offered by: | Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne |
| Course Fee: | US$ 2,000 (academic or student) |
| US$ 3,000 (government) | |
| US$ 5,000 (consulting firms) | |
| Logistical Details: | Course fee and registration |
| Visa requirements | |
| Accommodation | |
| Transport | |
| Weather | |
| Contact us |
The Centre of Policy Studies at Victoria University (Melbourne, Australia) will offer an intensive five day course introducing participants to Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling for the Middle East. This is a laptop based course, with all modelling undertaken using GEMPACK software. The course will be taught in English.
The course will be based around the Victoria University Middle East (VUME) model, calibrated to a database for a hypothetical country in the Middle East. VUME has been developed by CoPS for commissioned work in a number of Middle Eastern countries. The hypothetical economy is oil and gas dependent for income, employment and fiscal revenues. The economy’s labour market is segmented, with nationals supplying most of the high-wage jobs, and non-nationals supplying most of the low-wage jobs. Large energy subsidies are in place, and industry policy is directed towards diversification away from primary energy production.
During this course participants will:
At the core of VUME is the ORANI-G model. ORANI-G has been used as the basis of many single-country models including models of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Uganda, South Africa, Thailand, China, Brazil, Pakistan and the Philippines. GEMPACK software is used by research workers in over 650 different locations in about 85 countries around the world.
We expect for this course that demand will exceed supply, so book early. Please note that participants need to bring their own laptops, and install GEMPACK before the course.
The course should appeal to those:
By the end of the course, participants will have acquired thorough knowledge of:
The course program will consist of lectures integrated with hands-on experience with modelling in GEMPACK. It is intensive, with fairly long work hours. The program schedule allows for prayer times. Times and meal arrangements vary according to course location, but typically the course material and program are as follows.
| Sunday: | Commence 8.30am |
| The basic structure of a CGE model | |
| Introduction to the VUME model | |
| Overview of GEMPACK software | |
| Computing: Illustrative simulation of the short-run effects of a change in wage structure | |
| Monday: | Commence 8.30am |
| The theoretical structure of VUME (continued) | |
| Computing: Reviewing the database | |
| Computing: Simulation of the short-run effects of removing energy subsidies. | |
| Tuesday: | Commence 8.30am |
| Computing: adding new data, variables, and equations | |
| structure of VUME (continued) | |
| Simulation of the long-run effects of increased diversification through investment in a large start-up project | |
| Wednesday: | Commence 8.30am |
| Top-down regional CGE modelling | |
| Group simulations with VUME | |
| Group simulations with VUME: Analysis of results. | |
| Thursday: | Commence 8.30am |
| Group simulations with VUME: Report preparation | |
| Group presentation of reports on VUME | |
| Course ends 3.00pm |
Course participants receive a folder, containing
At the end of the course participants receive one or more CDs, containing
Previous hands-on experience in solving GE models is not required. We expect that course participants have:
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 VUME model and course -- and use similar notation and software. To go further, you could download and read the ORANI-G document.
US$ 2,000 (academic or student)
US$ 3,000 (government)
US$ 5,000 (consulting firms)
The fee covers course materials (including software), morning and afternoon teas and 5 lunches. It does not cover airfare, visa costs, transport,
accommodation, breakfast or dinner.
A registration form can be downloaded, completed, and emailed to Louise Pinchen. Options for payment can be found on the registration form.
All cancellations must be mailed to Louise Pinchen. Registered participants who are unable to attend will receive an 85% refund until 15 November, 2016. No refunds will be offered after this date.
Participants need to determine if they require a visa before travelling to the United Arab Emirates. Participants can visit the UAE Visa and Passport Information for more information and/or contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in your country for further information.
Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodation. We strongly recommend participants to stay at the venue. If participants wish to stay at the Crown Plaza, please contact Wilma Nacario and quote CGE_Dubai to secure a room.
There are a number of hotels near the Crown Plaza – Deira. For rates and availability at these hotels, participants should contact each directly and/or check sites such as booking.com and trip advisor.
Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transport. Some hotels (not the Crown Plaza – Deira) do offer a shuttle service. Participants should contact the hotel directly to arrange for transportation or take a taxi from the airport. Visit sites such as Dubai airport or Viator for more information.
Historically Dubai weather in November is warm but not hot. Check the current conditions closer to time of travel.
If you require any further information, please contact:
Dr Louise Roos phone: from Australia (03) 9919 1491 from overseas
+613 9919 1491
Ms Louise Pinchen phone: from Australia (03) 9919 1877 from
overseas +613 9919 1877