About the Cornerstone CGE Course
Cornerstone CGE’s teaching and learning resources are organized as a complete course – the Fundamentals of Computable General Equilibrium Modeling. The course is hosted on the award-winning Open University OpenLearn Create platform where the learning materials are freely available to everyone. The modeling software, CGE model and data sets used in the course are also free.
The Cornerstone materials have five modules. Each includes multiple short lessons on essential concepts. Lesson formats vary and include readings, videos, powerpoints and hand-on activities.
A key element of the materials is the principle of active learning. Lessons include tools designed to actively engage students in their own learning process. Hands-on activities include interactive SAMs, dialogue cards, and ungraded quizzes and knowledge checks. Guided, hands-on model exercises using the UNI-CGE model introduce students to applied CGE modeling skills.
Learners can complete the course materials on their own and at their own pace. Some learners will want to complete all modules and hands-on model exercises. Others may want to consult materials only on concepts they want to more learn about. Teachers can use or adapt the material to develop or augment their own courses on applied general equilibrium modeling.
Learners will receive a badge of completion from Open University OpenLearn Create if they successfully complete all modules.
About the Tutored Cornerstone CGE Course
Cornerstone CGE is committed to building capacity in general equilibrium analysis, with a particular emphasis on helping teachers and learners overcome barriers to their participation in traditional CGE modeling training. To achieve this objective, Cornerstone CGE periodically provides a free, tutored experience of the course through Open University OpenLearn. This virtual course spans 6 weeks, with a small class size. It is an intensive course, requiring an average of 10-12 hours per week of study and practice, and sustained contributions to class discussions. Eligibility for enrollment is restricted to faculty and learners residing in low and lower middle-income countries, as defined by the World Bank. Applicants must provide a letter of recommendation.
Our next tutored course offering of “Fundamentals of Computable General Equilibrium Modeling” will be held January 5 to February 6, 2026.
To learn more about enrolling in the course, contact cornerstonecge@gmail.com
The UNI-CGE Model
The Cornerstone CGE materials introduce students to the UNI-CGE model, a single-country CGE model implemented in the General Algebraic Modeling Software (GAMS).
Development of the UNI-CGE model “stands on the shoulders of giants.” It draws from the single-country CGE model of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and incorporates elements from the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) global CGE model. While its presentation is streamlined to enhance learners’ understanding of its core elements, the capabilities of the UNI-CGE model are on par with those of standard CGE models used by professionals.
The UNI-CGE Database
The UNI-CGE model relies on databases from the archives of the global data developed by the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). These databases, though small in scale, effectively support students in learning how to define and implement scenarios in a CGE model and to apply theory to analyze and understand model results.
Begin Your Learning Journey
Explore Cornerstone CGE’s teaching and learning materials by registering on Open University OpenLearn Create and searching for the course “Fundamentals of Computable General Equilibrium Modeling”.
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