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Barcelona Economics Summer Schools 6th edition

The sixth edition of the Barcelona Economics Summer Schools took place from June 25-July 6, 2012 at the BSE's Ciutadella Campus. A total of 247 participants from 50 countries took courses that spanned topics in Banking, Labor Economics, and Microeconometrics.

Denmark and Russia among most-represented countries

This year 94% of summer school participants came from outside Spain. Countries sending the most students were Germany (44), Italy (38), Denmark (19), Spain (15), and Russia (13). Senior and junior professionals from government agencies, banks, consulting firms, and international organizations joined professors, researchers, and doctoral students from universities and research institutions. Several graduates of the BSE master programs, as well as one student who will begin the Master in Economics in September, were also among the summer school course participants.

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Microeconometrics participants, Barcelona Economics Summer Schools 2012

Economists from 19 central banks in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia

Summer schools included the participation of economists from the central banks of 19 different countries, including Austria, Brazil, England, Indonesia, Norway and Nigeria. Other government authorities sending participants were the Abu Dhabi Water And Electricity Authority (UAE), the Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of Korea, and the European Commission (DG Economics and Finance).

Aidan Meyler is Principal Economist at the European Central Bank and participated in the Summer School's panel data courses this year. "I consider the two main lecturers, Prof. Badi Baltagi (Syracuse University) and Sergi Jiménez-Martín (UPF and BSE), to be at the forefront of this field and very experienced practitioners in this area," Mr. Meyler said. "I found both the level and pace of these courses to be high – making it a demanding but rewarding experience. I look forward to being able to apply the knowledge and techniques that I have learned in the course to applied microeconometric research,” he said.

A special mix of academic rigor and Mediterranean charm

Among the many academics attending the summer school was Prof. Joel Clovis, Lecturer in Economics at East Anglia University (UK). He reflected on his experience both in the classroom and beyond:

"There is so much to commend the BSE Summer School for; it is difficult to know where to begin," he said. "There is a fine array of subject specialists, leaders in their field delivering top grade material. There are some excellent facilities, and the administration and organization is, as you might expect, very good too. Last, though certainly not least, the BSE Summer School manages to achieve a special (appropriate) mix of academic rigor and Mediterranean charm. Of course, it does not hurt to be 12 minutes (yes, really 12 minutes) walk to a beautiful stretch of sandy beach; or next to one of the finest urban parks in Spain.

"However, much less expected, and surely just as welcomed, is the genuine warmth and friendliness of the place; a certain kindliness envelopes everyone attending, and collaborations are formed, seemingly by osmosis, so that working links can be forged. I know this is something not present at all summer schools. So I am looking forward to working with the knowledge gained and with the friends made. I will be back," he said.

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Prof. Badi Baltagi (Syracuse University) leads a course on Panel Data Linear Analysis.

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Summer School participants relax by the sea after an intense day of lectures.