Fall 2024 Call for Participation: Live-Streamed Courses in Economics

The University of Central Asia's (UCA) Graduate School of Development (GSD) in cooperation with the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education's Economics Institute (CERGE-EI) Foundation, invites all master level students, faculty members, applied researchers, and other interested individuals from Central Asian institutions to participate in a live-streamed economics course starting in September 2024. Courses will be delivered online from CERGE-EI’s Digital Media Center in Prague and coordinated by GSD’s Institute of Public Policy and Administration from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to allow live streaming to multiple locations.

Costs and Tuition Fees

Courses are offered free of charge to course participants.

Language 

The language of instruction for all courses offered by the CERGE-EI Foundation is English. However, there will be flexibility in using native languages when delivering exercise sessions by local instructors.

Course Schedule

In Fall 2024, courses will be offered on Gender Economics, Economics of Energy, Models in International Trade, Environmental Economics, Econometrics in a Nutshell, Labour Economics, and Public Economics. All courses will be conducted in six-week modules, with the final exam scheduled for Week seven  and the make-up exam scheduled for Week eight. Participants who successfully complete courses will be awarded CERGE-EI Foundation certificates.

Admission Requirements

The program is intensive and rigorous, advanced BA/introductory MA level of Economics knowledge is required. Participants should expect to be challenged and should be able to demonstrate self-motivation. UCA reserves the right to select only those applicants that it believes  have the necessary qualifications and experience to succeed. All courses will require the active participation of all students. Teachers will utilise modern technology to engage students, and encourage their active involvement in the course work and class discussions.

Registration

The number of places is limited. To register for a course, please fill in the registration form until August 25, 2024, following the link below:

https://forms.office.com/r/ViP5BGVre7

Course Curriculum

Part 1: Gender Economics, Economics of Energy, Models in International Trade

• Classes: September 9 – October 18, 2024
• Final exam week: October 21 – 25, 2024
• Make-up Exam Week: October 28 – November 1, 2024

Gender Economics

Brief description: The focus of the course is gender differences in the labour market and will cover both theoretical and empirical studies. Students will delve into these topics to understand how gender is relevant in the economy. Students will obtain an evidence-based understanding of two key aspects: 1) the potential mechanisms behind gender inequality and 2) the policies and evidence of their effects on advancing gender equality. Specifically, this course analyses the economic aspects of gender-related issues, such as gender wage gaps, labour force discrimination, family-friendly policies in the workplace, the valuation of unpaid household work, and the differential impact of public policies. During the course, students will become familiar with the methodology of gender analysis in the economic sciences and research gender analysis indicators to support skills development for relevant research and analysis.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Economics.

Main instructor: Ardiana Gashi, Ph.D.

Ardiana is a professor at the University of Pristina. She holds a PhD in economics from Staffordshire University (United Kingdom).  Her research interests are in the fields of labour economics and gender economics. Her research focus is on labour markets, gender, migration, and education. Since 2007, Ardiana has taught labour economics, econometrics, statistics, and since 2021 has taught gender economics. Ardiana has consulted on the development of public policies related to labour and gender equality, and also in the monitoring and evaluation of public policies and government interventions aimed to address gender imbalance.

Teaching assistant: Mariia Ianova (Iamshchikova)

Mariia Ianova is a Research Associate at the Institute of Public Policy and Administration of the University of Central Asia. She holds a BA in Economics from the American University of Central Asia. Her research expertise includes, but is not limited to, the health economics, gender, socio-economic development, food security and nutrition, and development economics.

Dates: Classes: September 9 – October 18, 2024; Final exam week: October 21 – 25, 2024; Make-up exam week: October 28 – November 1, 2024.

Economics of Energy

Brief description: Energy is a necessity of daily life and vital input to industry around the world. Energy also plays a central role in climate policy and geopolitics. The course, including the viewpoints of economic markets and economic regulation, aims to inform about various energy system topics. The focus will be on the supply side of the market, targeting the main properties of fossil and renewable energy sources. While the economics (supply, demand, and pricing) is the focus, special attention is also given to the security and strategic value of the different energy sources. Part of the course gives a broad background of knowledge on energy topics and issues. The other part uses economic tools and mathematical models to better understand the economic logic of energy. Such economic tools provide a way to systemise the abundance of information available on energy. This also helps to understand and appraise present policies regarding energy. Though our scope is general, attention is paid to some of the local settings for the EU, the Caucasus, Ukraine, Central Asia, and Russia.

Prerequisites: Microeconomics: consumption, production, supply and demand, at least at the level of any of the following or equivalent books (any editions):

Besanko, D., & Braeutigam, R. (2020). Microeconomics. Wiley Global Education.

Krugman, P., Wells, R., Ray, M., & Anderson, D. A. (2013). Microeconomics in Modules. Macmillan Higher Education.

Perloff, J. M. (2018). Microeconomics, Global Edition. Pearson Education Canada.

Pindyck, R. S., Rubinfeld, D. L., & F. E., Microeconomics, (2001). by Prentice-Hall. Madrid. Varian, H. R. (2014). Intermediate microeconomics with calculus: a modern approach. WW Norton & Company.

Main instructor: Silvester van Koten, Ph.D.

Silvester is an economist specializing in Economics Experiments and Energy Economics with a special interest in the economics of regulation, market design and energy markets. He holds a Ph.D. in economics (from CERGE-EI) and a MA in Psychology (Utrecht University). Presently, Silvester is a senior researcher at the Department of Economics at the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University, and a research associate at CERGE-EI in Prague. Silvester’s current research appraises the effect of the structure of spot market prices on the forward premium in electricity markets and the effectiveness of self-regulating organizations using theory, computer simulations and economics experiments. In previous research, Silvester analysed the effects of more transparent financial markets on competition and prices in the EU electricity markets. His work was published in journals such as Energy Economics, Energy Policy, European Economic Review and the Journal of Regulatory Economics.

Teaching assistant: Madina Junussova, Ph.D.

Madina Junussova is an Urban Development Lead at the Graduate School of Development, a Senior Research Fellow at UCA's Institute of Public Policy and Administration and a CERGE-EI Foundation Teaching Fellow. Dr. Junussova holds a PhD in Public Policy from Carleton University and degrees in architecture, urban and regional planning awarded by the Ministry of Education and Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Dates: Classes: September 9 – October 18, 2024; Final exam week: October 21 – 25, 2024; Make-up exam week: October 28 – November 1, 2024.

Models in International Trade

Brief description: This is a course about international trade, its determinants and its consequences. We will study the ways that the patterns of international trade might be shaped by, and might in turn re-shape, a country’s available resource endowments, its technology, income distribution, economic growth, and politics. The course starts with the concept of comparative advantage, the gains from trade, and the determinants of the patterns of trade. We will further explore the costs, benefits, and impact on income distribution of different instruments of trade protection; the effects of free trade areas (trade creation and trade diversion); and of factor mobility. Students will learn to apply the analytical toolbox of trade theory to real-world situations in order to make qualitative predictions of the effects of measures, such as tariffs or export subsidies. Students will not only learn the theory, but they will have a chance to use and analyze actual trade data. We will also include the discussion of relevant current issues, including international supply chains, the use of network theory, and the effects of trade sanctions and embargoes.

Prerequisites: Microeconomics and macroeconomics at the introductory level. If in doubt, please discuss your background with the main instructor.

Main instructor: Vilém Semerák, Ph.D.

Vilém Semerák is a researcher at the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences and senior lecturer at the Institute of Economic Studies of Charles University (IES FSV UK). He graduated from the University of Economics, Prague (VŠE) and the Institute of Economic Studies of Charles University (IES FSV UK), studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and at CERGE, Charles University. He has worked on research projects in China (Shandong Economic University in Jinan, 2004-2005; East China Normal University in Shanghai, 2006; SIIS Shanghai, 2016), taught in Myanmar (University of Mandalay), and in other international projects. Currently he focuses on empirical trade analysis based on gravity models and input-output analysis.

Teaching assistant: Saule Chalbasova

Saule Chalbasova is a Research Associate at the Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA) of University of Central Asia (UCA). She holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Economics from the World Trade Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland. Saule’s research focuses on Central Asian socio-economic development, international trade and agriculture.

Dates: Classes: September 9 – October 18, 2024; Final exam week: October 21 – 25, 2024; Make-up exam week: October 28 – November 1, 2024.

Part 2: Environmental Economics, Econometrics in a Nutshell, Labour Economics, Public Economics

Classes: October 28 – December 20, 2024

Final exam week: December 23 – 27, 2024

Make-up exam week: December 30, 2024

Environmental Economics

Brief description: This course introduces major concepts in the field of environmental economics. It is designed to help students understand theories related to natural resources and make use of microeconomic and statistical analysis. This course will also focus on valuation techniques for environmental goods used in the real world by analysts and policy makers. There is a growing demand in economics and public sectors for individuals with quantitative skills who can understand and apply these techniques, analyze results, and produce reports. By the end of this course, students will be able to analyze economic problems related to environmental goods using rigorous valuation techniques.

Prerequisites: Microeconomics and statistics/econometrics at the introductory level. Since this course includes empirical applications, it is expected that universities provide students the STATA software.

Main instructor: Vladimir Otrachshenko, Ph.D.

Vladimir is a research associate at the Center for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon, Portugal. His research interests are environmental and resource economics, health and population economics, development economics, climate change, non-market valuation of public goods, field experiments, and quality of life with a focus on Eastern Europe and Central Asia. He contributed to several Horizon projects and currently is involved in the SDGnexus project. He taught at Venice International University, Italy; and the University of Regensburg, Germany; at undergraduate, master, and Ph.D. levels. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of Public Economics, Economic Inquiry, Journal of Comparative Economics, Environmental and Resource Economics, Ecological Economics, and Land Economics.

Teaching assistant:  Ablay Dosmaganbetov, Ph.D.

Ablay Dosmaganbetov is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA), University of Central Asia. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University, and a Master in Management from the Graduate School of Management, Saint-Petersburg State University. He is also a Bachelor of Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Management, Karaganda State Technical University. Ablay’s research areas include extractive industries, good governance, sustainable development-related topics, quantitative research methods and their applications.

Dates: Classes: October 28 – December 20, 2024; Final exam week: December 23 – 27, 2024; Make-up exam week: December 30, 2024.

Econometrics in a Nutshell

Brief description: The course will introduce regression analysis and cover some of the most recent econometric techniques central to modern econometric practice. Successful students will gain a deeper understanding of the material discussed in other Distance Learning Program courses. They will be up to speed with Western European students at the same education level, making them more competitive in their further studies and on the labour market. At the end of this course students will understand basic econometric concepts, basic estimation methods, and methods for testing statistical hypotheses. They will be able to apply standard methods of constructing econometric models, process statistical information, obtain statistically sound conclusions, and give meaningful interpretation to the results of the estimated econometric models. In addition, students will gain real data processing skills, using econometric packages for building and estimating econometric models in R.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Statistics.

Main Instructor: Ella Sargsyan

Ella Sargsyan is a Junior Researcher and Ph.D. candidate at CERGE-EI (Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute). She holds an M.A. in Economics from CERGE-EI and ISET. Her research interests are mainly in the field of Development Economics with her current research focused on the impact of violent conflicts on various economic, social, and political factors in developing countries. She particularly enjoys working with spatial data. Since 2016, Ella has been involved in teaching, both as a graduate teaching assistant and as an instructor of courses including Statistics, Econometrics, Development Economics, and Microeconomics. She also works with the pedagogical team of CERGE-EI’s Academic Skills Center and serves as an instructor for several pedagogical training courses for economists.

Local teaching support:  Saniya Soltybayeva

Saniya Soltybayeva is a PhD candidate at Nazarbayev University. Her research interests are mainly in the field of local economic development. She is particularly interested in studying how external shocks affect the urban resilience in Central Asian countries exploring their social, economic, and political outcomes. Saniya holds a Master’s degree in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Specialist degree in Public Administration from Lomonosov Moscow State University. Her research interests include regional and local economic development, decentralisation, human capital development, and regional innovation systems.

Dates: Classes: October 28 – December 20, 2024; Final exam week: December 23 – 27, 2024; Make-up exam week: December 30, 2024.

Labor Economics

Brief description: This course aims to provide students with the basics of labour economics. Theoretical models will be linked to real-life examples, making the course beneficial for subsequent studies and professional life. The tentative list of topics includes labour demand and supply, wages (equilibrium wages, hedonic wages, etc.), human capital, discrimination in the labour market, and unemployment.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Statistics.

Main Instructor: Daniil Kashkarov, M.A., Ph.D. cand.

Daniil is a Ph.D. candidate at CERGE-EI. He joined CERGE-EI’s Ph.D. program after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from the University of Economics in Prague. He also holds an M.A. in economics from CERGE-EI. Last academic year, Daniil spent time at Yale University developing his research on the adjustment of workers to individual and aggregate shocks on labour markets. His research interests include: the macroeconomics of labour, life-cycle modelling, technological change, and skill and human capital accumulation. Daniil enjoys studying and developing quantitative macro models.

Teaching assistant: Kuandyk Tleuzhanuly

Kuandyk Tleuzhanuly holds a master’s degree in public administration from KIMEP University. He is a PhD candidate in Public Administration at Narxoz University, his research interests include educational inequality, impact of socioeconomic status on academic achievement, and public policy in education.

Dates: Classes: October 28 – December 20, 2024; Final exam week: December 23 – 27, 2024; Make-up exam week: December 30, 2024.

Public Economics

Brief description: This course covers the key concepts in public economics, a field of economics that studies the role of government in the economy. The course is designed to introduce seminal theoretical concepts and discuss the most recent empirical developments in public economics with the aim to understand: (i) why and how governments intervene in an economy, (ii) how individuals and firms react to these interventions, and (iii) what are the implications of those interventions for the overall welfare and economic development.

Prerequisites: Microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics at the introductory level.

Main Instructor: Olga Popova, Ph.D.

Olga is a senior researcher with tenure at the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS), Regensburg, Germany; a research associate at CERGE-EI; and a research fellow at IZA-Institute of Labor Economics and Global Labor Organization (GLO). She holds a Ph.D. in economics from CERGE-EI (2012). Her research interests include health and environmental economics, economic history, development economics, and public economics. She is an associate editor at the Journal of Population Economics, Journal of Happiness Studies, and Comparative Southeast European Studies, served as a consultant for the World Bank, and was Second Prize winner of the 2014 Young Economist Award from the Czech Economic Society. Her research has been published in the Journal of Public Economics, Economic Inquiry, Journal of Comparative Economics, and Small Business Economics, among others, and was featured by the leading research policy portal VoxEU.

Local teaching support: Madina Junussova, Ph.D.

Madina Junussova is a Senior Research Fellow at UCA's Institute of Public Policy and Administration and a CERGE-EI Foundation Teaching Fellow. She is a member of the International Public Policy Association and the International Society of City and Regional Planners (Isocarp). Dr. Junussova holds a PhD in Public Policy from Carleton University and degrees in architecture, urban and regional planning awarded by the Ministry of Education and Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Dates: Classes: October 28 – December 20, 2024; Final exam week: December 23 – 27, 2024; Make-up exam week: December 30, 2024.

About the University of Central Asia

The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000 through an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan; it was ratified by their respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations. As a secular, non-profit, international university focused on the development of the largely mountainous societies and economies of Central Asia, UCA's undergraduate programmes are located at its purpose-built world class residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, and Khorog, Tajikistan near the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains respectively.

UCA’s Graduate School of Development  has teams of established researchers, associated with five research institutes that work across the disciplines of economics, environmental sciences, public policy, political science, sociology, anthropology, history and cultural studies to address the critical challenges facing the Central Asian region. Chief among these challenges is those related to climate change and sustainable development. In 2025, the Graduate School will announce the introduction of two new international master’s programmes – one in Sustainable Development and Climate Economics, and one in Climate Change and Environment.

The programme in Sustainable Development and Climate Economics will be delivered through the Graduate School’s Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA). Established in 2011, IPPA strengthens public policy making in Central Asia. It provides in-depth analysis of current and emerging policy issues facing the region and works on improving the analytical capacity of governments and civil society to use evidence-based decision-making through professional development.

Find out more about the Graduate School of Development and its programme of research in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

About CERGE-EI and the CERGE-EI Foundation

The Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE) was established in 1991 in the Czech Republic to offer a western-style PhD in Economics to students from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It subsequently formed a joint workplace with the Economics Institute (EI) of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Today, CERGE-EI offers two additional master level programs: one-year long Masters in Applied Economics and two-years long Masters in Economic Research. All faculty are western-trained, and CERGE-EI graduates receive degrees that are recognized in the EU and in the US. The CERGE-EI Foundation is a major financial supporter of CERGE-EI and, through its Teaching Fellows Program, supports western-trained economists teaching at universities across the region.