Organization: Maastricht School of Management
Registration deadline: 13 Mar 2016
Starting date: 03 Oct 2016
Ending date: 14 Oct 2016
Nuffic NFP and MENA scholarships available! Apply before 13 March 2016!
Supporting export decision-making with applied analysis Agriculture is the largest economic sector in many African countries, providing employment to significant numbers of workers. It is a sector with huge potential given the growth in disposables incomes, the growth in urbanization, the changing patterns in the demand for food, and the continued high prices of agricultural commodities.**
In order to utilize these opportunities and ensure continued growth and food security it is vital that decision-makers have the technical analytical tools to exploit the large amount of trade data that is available to identify the realistic opportunities for expanding exports of agricultural commodities at both the extensive and intensive margins.
The program provides you with a practical introduction to the analysis of agricultural trade flows and the identification of realistic export opportunities for decision-makers in Africa and concerned with Africa. The course is designed to integrate theory with real-world data through progressive, step-by-step and hands-on learning. Although the course applications focus on agricultural goods produced in African countries, the content of the course is suitable and readily applicable for analyzing and identifying export opportunities for any product produced in any country.
What to expect
The challenge that decision-makers face every day is that limited resources must be allocated to areas that are most likely to achieve success in scenarios with the greatest probability of being realized. To assist and inform them of this complex task, quantitative analysis can play an important role.
This course aims to help you to expand your knowledge of quantitative economic methods and data sources for analyzing a country’s current trade performance and the identification of its agricultural export opportunities. The need for such education is based on the belief that good decisions need to be backed by good analysis. By bringing together the most widely used approaches for identifying export opportunities, the course enables you to compare methodologies and to select the best-suited to address the issues at hand.
The course is learner-centred and practical. It will combine conceptual presentations by experts with hands-on and step-by-step demonstrations and implementations of methodologies in a computer-lab based on realistic scenarios and exercises. Through participatory learning and group works, participants will implement each method; interpret results, and formulate and discuss recommendations for informed decision-making.
Your profile
The program is designed for:
- researchers, trade analysts and advisors in companies, government agencies, international organisations, regional development organisations, research institutions, NGOs, social partners, consulting groups, universities
- Those who wish to develop skills in trade analysis and applied decision support modelling and those who want to have a profound understanding of models
- University students
The focus of the course is on identifying export opportunities for agricultural goods produced in African countries. However, the knowledge and skills obtained may be applied to any product produced in any country wanting to promote exports.
Tuition fee**: € 2,500
Lodging expenses (approx. € 35 / night)***: € 525
Food and living expenses (approx. € 20 / day): € 300
* MSM Tuition fee includes all course materials and fieldwork expenses, study materials and basic medical insurance.
** Limited availability. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
(All fees are subject to change)
How to register:
Please click here to apply for the NUFFIC scholarships, including a description of how you need to apply.