The AGRODEP training course on GAMS-Based Computable General Equilibrium Modeling (advanced) was held on 3-5 December, 2012. The course was conducted by Helene Maisonnave of PEP Laval.
The three-day training course expanded on the basic GAMS course held in the spring and provided participants with an in-depth look at the PEP 1-1 and 1-t models. Twelve AGRODEP members participated in this training course: Babatunde Abidoye, Olumuyiwa Bamidele Alaba, John Ele-Ojo Ataguba, Nnaemeka Chukwuone, Souleymane Sadio Diallo, Wachira Rhoda Gakuru, Youssouf Kone, Job Kibiwot Lagat, Naomi Muthoni Mathenge, Francis M. Mwaura, Nicodeme Nimenya, and Indranarain Ramlall. The participants represented six countries and a wide range of experience and interests. The training course was well-received by all participants; participant feedback will be very valuable in improving future training experiences of AGRODEP members.
John Ele-Ojo Ataguba, Lecturer/Researcher at the Health Economics Unit (HEU), University of Cape Town, had this to say about the training:
"The advanced CGE training has now fully equipped me with the tools necessary to begin 'real' CGE modelling. Thanks to our instructor and to AGRODEP for this great and wonderful opportunity. "
Wachira Rhoda Gakuru, Policy Analyst at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, gave this feedback:
"I would like to thank the entire AGRODEP team and the facilitators of this course for providing the necessary resources for the course. To the trainers and especially Helene- I thank you for the generous and professional sharing of your knowledge and experience, the delivery of the course and the materials were exceptional. We managed to (1) understand the mathematical structure and the underlying hypotheses of the models; (2) undertake rigorous hands-on exercises; as well as (3) understand the interpretation of the results. I now feel confident to apply CGE for policy analysis. This was an extremely valuable training course; it was truly an enriching experience."
Nnaemeka Chukwuone, Senior Research Fellow/Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research and Department of Agriculture and Economics, University of Nigeria, commented:
"I had the opportunity to participate in the GAMS-based Computable General Equilibrium Modeling (advanced). Just like the basic course, the training was well packaged and well delivered. The modeling technique we were taught in Exter 2 was expanded and we were also taught the rudiments of dynamic CGE modeling using the PEP-1-1 and PEP-1-t models. The training has put me in a better to position to start applying GAM based CGE in my future research projects. I thank AGRODEP for this wonderful opportunity to join the group of CGE modelers. I also thank our instructor, Helene for being patient with us and for answering all our questions no matter how stupid."
Indranarain Ramlall, Professor at the University of Mauritius, had this to say:
"The training fully complements the basic training. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Helene (Merci Beaucoup) for the delivery of the course which will undeniably serve me in my future research on CGE. A final thanks to AGRODEP for this fantastic choice of instructor which undeniably met my expectations in terms of quality of materials delivered."
View photos from the training course.