The building blocks of an economy

Researchers at the SMU School of Economics (SoE) are studying how education and trade form two basic pillars of a robust economy, through research in econometrics, international trade, macro and microeconomics. SoE Associate Professors Chang Pao-Li and Huang Fali are studying how a country’s education system is linked to its industrial and trade structures, while SoE Assistant Professor Hsu Wen-Tai is studying international trade theory and policy, with a focus on how global competition affects resource allocation among different producers and industries. The work of these SoE researchers will go a long way in helping people to understand how economies should adjust to find their strongest position in the global economy. Assistant Prof Hsu said: “I believe we have a lot to contribute through our research, especially when the environment here at SoE is intellectually stimulating. Furthermore, the school is highly supportive and gives us great freedom in undertaking research.” As a result of the researchers’ contributions, SoE emerged as one of Asia’s top schools in Tilburg University’s ‘Top 100 of Economics Schools Research Ranking’ in 2013.