Session on implementing FTA simulations as course projects into the undergraduate curriculum

Developed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), the Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Adviser (TINA) platform is a free professional tool of choice in trade policy analysis and negotiation preparation. This article explains the benefits of incorporating TINA in higher education at Sultan Qaboos University, whereby students simulate trade agreement-related economic benefits with different partners. Structured project assignment empowers the students with knowledge about the workings of trade in the real world. The assigned project also enhances the real comprehension of key economic concepts such as comparative advantage, tariff liberalization, and economic impact assessment. This hands-on methodology bridges theoretical legacies and applied skills that allow students actively to enumerate opportunities and challenges presented by bilateral trade based on data-driven insights. Results show that TINA has greatly improved the students' analytical ability and understanding of trade policy dynamics between country pairs. This study highlights the broader impact of integrating digital tools like TINA into higher education, offering a scalable approach to fostering critical thinking and hands-on learning in economic policy courses. It contributes to the growing conversation on using technology to advance teaching methods in economics and trade education.

Link: https://index.ieomsociety.org/index.cfm/article/view/ID/27966