CCF South Korea Women to Women Online Service last October 22, 2025

 

Online Class with MFE 411 - International Monetary Economics last October 22, 2025

 

Quick recap

The meeting began with presentations on exchange rate determination and literature reviews, followed by discussions on economic research papers focusing on inflation differentials, exchange rates, and income distribution. Participants explored various methodologies including ARDL models and wavelet analysis, while examining the effects of exchange rates, domestic income, and foreign prices on trade balances and labor share. The session concluded with a quiz on financial transactions and balance of payments concepts, covering topics such as portfolio investments and international investment positions.

Next steps

• All students to upload their test answers to UVE by 5 PM.
• Students with UVE access issues to send their test answers via Messenger.
• Students to prepare for the upcoming exam on Friday at the university.
• Jen to adjust the test submission deadline from 4 PM to 5 PM to accommodate students with connectivity issues.
• Jen to provide an exercise or assignment for topics not covered in the current test.

Summary

Exchange Rate Determination Literature Review

Jen led an online class session where Zandra presented a literature review on exchange rate determination, focusing on the "uncovered interest parity puzzle" for Central and Eastern European economies. Zandra explained the study's methodology, key findings, and policy implications, highlighting the importance of considering global risk premiums and cross-currency dynamics in foreign exchange interventions. The session concluded with a brief Q&A session, where participants were encouraged to type their questions in the chat box for documentation.

Exchange Rate Adjustment Mechanisms

The meeting involved a presentation by Zandra on the interest rate puzzle in peripheral and Eastern economies, focusing on the need for updated data and alternative methodologies post-2019, including examining the impact of COVID-19. Jen then introduced Adrian, who presented on a study titled "Adjusting towards Long-Run Purchasing Power Parity," which aimed to investigate the mechanisms of adjustment in exchange rates and prices. Adrian highlighted the study's use of a system called the Mean Group Estimator, which allows for two-way long-run causality, and its findings on regime-dependent adjustment mechanisms. The discussion concluded with questions about the consistency of the study's results with existing theories and empirical works, and suggestions for further research to address limitations in the study.

Exchange Rate Regime Studies

Adrian presented on regime dependency and exchange rate studies, explaining how Hamilton's 1989 framework uses a 30-day or 30-year rolling window to identify regimes. Jessa asked about exchange rate convergence, to which Adrian explained that studies show prices converge over approximately 4.27 years. Crystal presented a literature review on exchange rate regimes in developing countries, focusing on a study by Ravi Ben that analyzed 29 developing countries from 2000 to 2016 using World Bank data to examine the effects of fixed versus flexible exchange rate systems on economic performance.

Economic Research on Exchange Rates

The meeting focused on presentations and discussions of economic research papers. Kristal presented findings from an econometric study on exchange rate regimes and inflation, highlighting that fixed exchange rate regimes tend to reduce inflation and promote stability, though government expenditure was not significantly related to economic growth. Armela discussed a literature review on inflation differentials and exchange rates in Pakistan, using a multi-method approach including wavelet coherence analysis to examine the relationship between inflation differentials and exchange rates across time and frequency domains. The study found partial validation of the purchasing power parity hypothesis for Pakistan, with significant co-movements between inflation differentials and exchange rates in 12 out of 23 trading partners. Both presentations sparked questions about country selection criteria and the implications of the findings for policy.

Research on Inflation and Income

The meeting focused on presentations and discussions about research topics related to inflation differentials, exchange rates, and income distribution. Armela presented on inflation differential pass-through to exchange rates, highlighting the manual computation of inflation differentials due to data limitations and the use of wavelet analysis for further research. Mark presented on the impact of real interest rates on income distribution using an ARDL model, discussing policy implications and suggesting further research on household saving behavior. The audience asked questions about the Gini coefficient, the rationale for focusing on five developing economies, and the selection of lag lengths in the model.

South Africa's Trade Balance Analysis

Snooky presented a study on South Africa's trade balance, analyzing the effects of exchange rates, domestic income, and foreign prices using ARDL models. The study found that domestic income has the strongest negative impact on trade balance, while exchange rates have the smallest effect. Snooky proposed expanding the research to include ASEAN countries, using monthly or quarterly data from 1970 to 2024, and incorporating Foreign Direct Investment as a new variable.

ARDL Models and Labor Share

Snooky presented on restricted and unrestricted ARDL models, explaining that the restricted version focuses on robustness and highlights error correction terms, while the general ARDL includes all variables. Jen asked about model restrictions and stability tests, which Snooky confirmed were conducted. Efrelaine then presented on labor share as an automatic stabilizer, discussing how it affects income inequality and tax systems. She explained the study's methodology and findings, including how labor share can reduce disposable income inequality and strengthen redistribution. The presentation concluded with policy recommendations and suggestions for future research.

Labor Share and Inequality Discussion

The meeting focused on discussing labor share and its relationship with income inequality, with Efrelaine presenting research on how digital labor and automation affect labor share and inequality. Jen led a discussion on the definition and calculation of labor share, clarifying that it is the percentage of GDP accounted for by compensation of employees. The class then prepared for an upcoming quiz, with Jen explaining that students without internet access could use their phones to participate via Messenger. The quiz would cover topics from the first unit, with questions to be answered on paper and submitted via photo.

Financial Transactions Quiz Overview

The meeting focused on a quiz about financial transactions and balance of payments concepts. Jen led the discussion through multiple parts, covering topics such as portfolio investments, net inflows, and international investment positions. Participants answered questions about debits and credits in various transactions involving exports, imports, and investments. The session concluded with a problem set requiring participants to analyze current accounts and financial accounts based on sample transactions.

Financial Transactions and Exam Procedures

The meeting focused on explaining financial and current account transactions, particularly capital inflows and outflows. Jen provided detailed instructions on how to identify and categorize transactions in financial accounts, emphasizing the importance of balancing debit and credit entries. She clarified that while current accounts deal with exports and imports, financial accounts require transactions to be grouped as either capital inflows or outflows. Jen also addressed questions about exam procedures, explaining that students should finalize and upload their answers by 5 PM, and confirmed that the exam would be based on a 50-point scale.

Thesis Advisory Meeting with Wella Linao last October 21, 2025

 

Hinlo Thesis Advisory Weekly Meeting with Wella Linao

Meeting Overview

The meeting was between Jen Hinlo (advisor) and Wella Linao (student) discussing Wella's thesis on Universal Health Care (UHC) and health outcomes in the Philippines. The discussion focused on restructuring the background section, organizing research content, and planning the methodology approach.

Thesis Structure Guidance

Background Section Organization

Jen recommended organizing the background section in a hierarchical structure:

• Start with global situation of Universal Health Care
• Narrow to Asia/ASEAN regional context
• Focus primarily on the Philippines situation (should have most extensive coverage)
• Connect background information to the specific health outcomes being studied

Philippines UHC Content Recommendations

For the Philippines-specific section, Jen advised including:

• Time of UHC Act enactment and implementation timeline
• Specific health programs under UHC
• Present health indicators and outcomes targeted by UHC
• Current situation of these indicators (increasing, decreasing, or constant)
• Discussion of challenges despite budget allocation and program implementation

Health Indicators Focus

The thesis will examine several specific health indicators affected by UHC implementation:

• Tuberculosis incidence and treatment programs
• Malaria cases and prevention
• Mental health services and suicide rates
• Maternal and reproductive health outcomes

Program Evaluation Approach

Jen emphasized the need to evaluate whether government health programs are successful despite funding challenges:

• Assess if programs translate to improved health outcomes
• Examine budget allocation trends for health programs
• Consider barriers like corruption that might affect program effectiveness

Research Methodology

The study will use Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA) to evaluate UHC impact:

• Present trend analysis for each health indicator
• Compare before and after UHC implementation
• Justify ITSA methodology by reviewing previous studies using this approach
• Highlight advantages of ITSA for evaluating policy impacts

Literature Review Guidance

For Chapter 2 (Literature Review), Jen advised:

• Focus on studies related to UHC and health outcomes
• Organize by global studies, Asian regional studies, and Philippines-specific research
• Review methods used in previous studies to justify ITSA approach
• Identify research gaps to establish the study's contribution

Results Presentation Plan

For Chapter 4 (Results), the structure should include:

• Trend analysis for each health indicator (tuberculosis, malaria, mental health, etc.)
• ITSA results showing UHC impact on each indicator
• Organized with clear subtitles for each health outcome area

Next Steps

• Wella to revise background section to emphasize Philippines context rather than global situation
• Restructure background flow: global → Asia/ASEAN → Philippines
• Add more explanation about health programs under UHC in Philippines
• Include current health indicators and outcomes in background section
• Connect research gap to justification for using ITSA methodology
• Complete Chapter 2 focusing on related studies about UHC and health outcomes
• Structure Chapter 4 with trend assessment for each health indicator
• Prepare for upcoming exam on Friday

Online Meeting with Thesis Advisee last October 21, 2025

 

Online Meeting with Thesis Advisees last October 20, 2025

 

CAEc EXECOM Meeting last October 17, 2025

 

Quick recap

The meeting began with discussions about accomplishment reports and security assessments before transitioning to academic scheduling matters, where decisions were made about online and face-to-face instruction modes for different student levels. The group addressed staff work arrangements and communication channels, including the establishment of chat groups and coordination of exam schedules. The conversation ended with detailed planning for upcoming face-to-face exams, including technical platform selection and administrative procedures for campus attendance.

Next steps

• Lyra to identify which faculty members will have exams next week and compile their schedules.
• Lyra to draft and send an email to faculty members informing them about face-to-face exams and requesting asynchronous classes for students who will be on campus .
• Lyra to ensure students are clearly informed about when they need to be on campus for exams and when they will have online classes.
• Elizabeth to post announcements for faculty regarding the schedule arrangements for exams and online classes.
• Lyra to send the clearance form for campus entry to faculty and students.
• Lyra to coordinate with Sir Michael and Sir Chris to potentially arrange their exams on the same day.
• Faculty to work from home except when conducting face-to-face exams.
• Faculty to provide asynchronous learning options for students who will be on campus for exams.

Summary

Accomplishment Report Example Discussion

Jen and Lyra discussed the need for examples in an accomplishment report, with Lyra offering to share samples from the VPA. They also talked about security assessments in buildings, noting no significant issues were found.

Online Instruction Scheduling for Students

The meeting focused on discussing the scheduling and mode of instruction for various academic sections, particularly for first-year students. It was decided that all first-year subjects, including general education (GE) courses, would be conducted online. For second and third-year students, specific subjects like MFE and accounting were identified for online instruction, while other courses could be conducted face-to-face. The group also discussed the possibility of rescheduling exams to October 23 or 24.

Remote Work Transition and Planning

The meeting discussed the transition of some staff to work-from-home arrangements, with graduate school staff being exempted. They agreed to hold online meetings every week and celebrate an upcoming jubilee event. The participants also touched on project planning and requirements for various departments.

Exam Scheduling and Remote Learning

The meeting discussed the scheduling and conduct of upcoming exams, with a focus on whether classes would be held online or on campus. Jen and USeP_Rupert agreed that students should inform their teachers if they are unable to attend campus due to the earthquake. They decided that for the next week, only exams would be held on campus, with the rest of the week's work to be done asynchronously. Lyra asked about the work-from-home arrangement, and Jen confirmed that a memo would be issued regarding this.

Chat Group and Communication Planning

The meeting focused on organizing chat groups and communication channels, with discussions about identifying participants and setting up appropriate groups. Jen and Lyra discussed scheduling and exam dates, while USeP_Rupert mentioned the need for online classes and attendance tracking. The group also touched on sending messages to Elizabeth and forwarding information to others.

Face-to-Face Exam Attendance Requirements

The meeting discussed the upcoming face-to-face exams scheduled for next week, with all students required to attend in person. The university will communicate to faculty and students about the exam schedules, which will be conducted on a single day for each subject. It was decided that faculty should inform students about the face-to-face exams and request them to confirm their attendance, while the administration will handle the necessary approvals and forms for campus entry. The meeting also addressed technical issues regarding the platforms for conducting exams, with Google Meet being preferred over Zoom due to better accessibility and convenience for students.