SNAC workshop on econometrics

On 23-27 November, the Sudan-Norway Academic Cooperation (SNAC) organized a workshop on econometrics in Cairo, bringing together researchers and professionals from key Sudanese institutions. Participants represented the Economic and Social Research Bureau (ESRB), Agricultural Research Cooperation, Development Studies and Research Institute, Ahfad University for Women, the Federal Ministry of Health, University of Delang, the Central Bank of Sudan, and the University of Khartoum.

The workshop, facilitated by Mohammed Elhaj Mustafa Ali, assistant professor at the University of Khartoum, and Magnus Hatlebakk, senior researcher at CMI, introduced participants to Stata, a widely used software for economic analysis, and provided both an introduction to econometrics and opportunities to work on advanced applications. Through practical exercises, the participants learned to run, interpret, and compare data and regression outputs. Topics analyzed during the training included economic growth, employment, fertility, education, and health.

- This was a very hectic five days both for participants and facilitators. I believe the participants will benefit from both the advanced time-series methods and survey data methodology that we presented during the workshop, said Magnus Hatlebakk.

For many attendees, this was their first experience using Stata. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the participants emphasized that the skills they gained are directly relevant to their everyday work, hence the workshop contributed with both tools and practical training that can inform decision-making in key Sudanese sectors and institutions.