12TH SOUTH ASIAN ECONOMICS STUDENTS MEET 2015

Dec. 21 28, 2015

Annual Conference of Undergraduate Economics Students of South Asia

Themes: South Asia in the Asian Century (SAARC)

South Asia within an Asian and Global context (Non-SAARC)

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

Department of Economics
University of Colombo
Colombo, Sri Lanka
July 2015

Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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SOUTH ASIAN ECONOMICS STUDENTS MEET

December 21- 28, 2015

The Department of Economics of the University of Colombo is pleased to

announce that it is holding, in collaboration with undergraduates from
Special Degree in Economics Streams from local universities in Sri Lanka,
the 12th South Asian Economics Students Meet (SAESM) in Colombo
from December 21-28, 2015. The SAESM, the only forum for young
economists in the SAARC countries, provides a unique platform for
undergraduates of economics streams for networking, knowledge sharing, and fostering a collective
understanding in issues of and formulating strategies for a South Asian economic development and
prosperity. The SAESM, since its inauguration in Delhi in 2004, has continued its unbroken legacy
as an annual meet and has established as an important event in the academic calendar of all South
Asian universities. The SAESM visions this important event as one to groom young economists as
an unorthodox force to reckon within the South-Asian development and beyond. The SAESMs
contribution towards professional development of young undergraduates has been most noteworthy.
It has groomed hundreds of young undergraduates professionals to deliberate at international fora
also provides each undergraduate a distinctive opportunity for skills enhancement, team work,
leadership and to develop confidence and provide hands-on global exposure.

Over the years, the

SAESM has been expanding and evolving its vistas to undertake roles even beyond. A case in point
is the strong interest expressed by undergraduates from countries outside the SAARC to join the
SAESM as observer groups at the Colombo SAESM 2015.

Target delegates
The Colombo SAESM 2015 invites undergraduate students from Economics streams to take part in
the conference. The undergraduates who are from the SAARC countries, also referred as the SAESM
Member Delegates (SMD), take part in the whole of the SAESM programme in respective activities
in competitive basis. The undergraduates from Non SAARC countries and others, including the
SAESM Alumni delegates, referred to as SAESM Observer Delegates (SOD), will take part primarily
in the paper presentation category only of the SAESM programme and they will engage in the
conference proceedings in non-competitive basis.
Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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SAESM in the past - Themes, Venues and Sponsors

The past SAESMs have been themed on topical issues pertaining to South Asia, and most notably,
South-Asian integration has been amongst the most discussed as its core theme for several years. The
themes of the SAESMs held by respective host country are in the table below:
Year

Venue

Theme

Main sponsor

2004

New Delhi

Economic Developments in South Asia: Which

National Foundation of India

Way Ahead
2005

Lahore

Issues for South Asian Development

Syed Babar Ali Foundation

2006

Dhaka

Sharing Ideas for a Better Understanding of

Prime Bank

South Asian Development

2007

Colombo

Economic

Development

and

Regional

World Bank

Economic Challenges to Make South Asia Free

World Bank

Cooperation in South Asia

2008

New Delhi

from Poverty and Deprivation

2009

Dhaka

Young Economists for an Integrated South Asia

National Bank

2010

Colombo

Economic Freedom and Poverty Reduction in

Friedrich Naumann Stiftung

South Asia
2011

New Delhi

Development Alternatives in South Asia

Institute

for

Financial

Management and Research

2012

Kathmandu

Towards a Green South Asia

World Bank

2013

Lahore

The Political Economy of South Asia

World Bank

2014

Thimpu

South Asian Integration: Prospects and

World Bank

Challenges
2015

Colombo

South Asia in the Asian Century

Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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Colombo SAESM 2015 The Theme

The Colombo SAESM 2015 will offer two but related themes: a main theme for the SAESM Member
Delegates; and a supplementary theme for the SEASM Observer Delegates.
The Colombo SAESM 2015 will have its main theme as:
South Asia in the Asian Century
- For a pragmatic strategic vision for South Asian prosperity through economic integration
The supplementary theme is:
South Asia within an Asian and Global context
-

As a production hub and an emerging market

Past SAESMs have deliberated on many perennial issues of South-Asian Economic Integration,
especially its characteristics, attributes, challenges and prospects. The South-Asian development,
poverty and environment have also been amongst the main topics discussed. While identification of
issues, challenges and gaps towards a realistic South-Asian integration has considerably been dealt
with in the past, its time that specific, pragmatic and pluralistic strategies are explored with vigor
and passion. While the current interest in economic integration for a South-Asian revival gathers
momentum, the SAESM fraternity strongly believes that a youth- based dimension can provide and
an unorthodox window of opportunity towards this end.

Sub-themes under the main theme

For the SAESM Member Delegates
The above stated main theme is examined and discussed comprehensively under six sub themes
below:
1. Interregional and intraregional FDI flows
2. Managing resources for a sustained South Asian development and prosperity
3. Trade integration as a regional strategy for an Asian competitiveness
4. Intra-regional trade and exchange as a key strategy for alleviating rural poverty
5. Human skills development for fostering a regional competitive advantage
6. Political Economic dimensions and strategies for regional integration
Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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For the SAESM Observer Delegates

The SAESM Observer Delegates are encouraged to choose their own subthemes within the
supplementary theme above assigned to them. We are of opinion that they may however could
exercise the freedom to choose their topics from the above subthemes under the main theme as well
if they so wish.

The rationale for the themes

The rationale for the main theme above emanates from an unequivocal recognition that it is the
Century of Asia- recording fastest GDP growth, rapid enhancement in per capita income, widest
expansion in exports, most active investment and FDI inflows, than any other regions in the world.
In contrast, South Asia has failed to exploit and emulate its East-Asian counterparts. The theme thus
aims to address and ignite a passion within the youth for a realistic South Asian revival for the South
Asia, and from South Asia to the rest of Asia and beyond.
The supplementary theme has been chosen with the objective to provide a pragmatic platform that
provides the viewpoints of South Asia from countries outside the SAARC. This theme it is hoped
will make the SAESM deliberations within an ever integrating global economic framework and make
the discussions relevant and interesting to all participating undergraduates.

Selection of papers for awards and publication

The conference papers are evaluated at two stages as (a) paper evaluation by 2 panels of the academics
at the Coordinating Universities and, (b) evaluation of the conference presentations by a panel of
judges.
The Best Thematic Paper under each sub-theme will be selected for awards through an evaluation
process by the academic teams appointed at the conference for each category. All student delegates
will be awarded a certificate of participation at the Colombo SAESM 2015. The papers meeting the
required quality standards will be published in the symposium publication. The researcher delegates
are encouraged to focus on originality, academic quality, policy relevance and technical standards.
The judges may decide whether respective the authors should be asked to submit a revised version of
the papers for publication.
Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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It is expected that the respective country coordinators work closely with the student teams to ensure
that all required academic standards have been met and the conference guide lines have been precisely
adhered to before submitting the papers to the Colombo SAESM 2015. This will ensure high quality
of the conference and will raise confidence of the delegates when they meet up at the conference.

Colombo SAESM 2015- delegates

The Colombo SAESM 2015 will have an estimated 175-200 residential delegates, comprising of an
estimated 125-40 foreign delegates and 50-60 local delegates as highlighted below:

The Colombo SAESM will invite 10 undergraduate members from each of its 7 member
countries, other than India, while two academics who are also the Country Coordinators of
the respective country to accompany them.

India will be invited to send 2 teams of delegates numbering 20, accompanied by 4 staff
members. This is in line with a decision taken by the SAESM inter-country coordinating
body to recognize the size of Indias undergraduate population.

The countries outside SAARC that have indicated their interest to join the SAESM will total
about 20-30 undergraduate delegates and 6-8 academics who accompany them

Colombo SAESM 2015 schedule (tentative dates and details)

No of days

Day

ACTIVITY

1-2

Dec. 12-13 (SAT-SUN)

Arrival of foreign students

Dec. 13 (SUN)

Inauguration (evening) and University dinner

3-4

Dec. 14-15 (MON-TUE)

Conference and other academic events (whole day)

Dec. 16 (WED)

Conference and closing ceremony (morning)

5-7

Dec. 16-18

Excursion for foreign students (since Dec. 16 evening)

8-9

Dec. 19-20

Departure of foreign students

Non-SAARC students may decide to take part in the entire conference period depending on their preference

Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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Country Teams
Conference

Budding

Quiz-nomics

Total No. of

Faculty

papers

Economist

Contest

students

members

Bhutan

10

Bangladesh

10

20

Nepal

10

Pakistan

10

Afghanistan

10

40

24

Sub Total

32

32

16

110

38

Non SAARC

20

20

Total

52

130

42

SAARC

India
( 2 teams)

Sri Lanka
(2 teams )

Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

32

16

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Colombo SAESM 2015- sessions

The Colombo SAESM is comprised of its principal activities as done in the past, while is added with
new activities in line with an evolving vision of the SAESM:

For the SAESM Member Delegates - Competing basis

Undergraduate conference: Presentation of academic papers under the subthemes stated
above, will be assessed on competitive basis; there will be approximately 80-100 papers from
the undergraduates from the South Asian country delegates who make presentations and oral
discussions in a competitive setting.
Budding Economist Competition: This is a competition among participating SAESM
undergraduates who contest for the award of the Budding Economist in South Asia. The
competition proceeds through various stages as essay-writing exercise, examination,
speeches, and finally interviews.
Quiz-nomics Competition: A quiz competition among the undergraduates at both individual
and team levels where knowledge and skills in economic theory, application, and current
affairs, locally and globally are tested.

For the SAESM Observer Delegates - Non-competing basis

Presentations by SAESM Observer Delegates: This session will be a non-competing category,
and exclusive be confined to the above group where the SAESM delegates will sit in the
audience and join oral discussions. The presentations are to be made alongside
SAESM Alumni presentations: This session too will be a non-competing category designated
as guest oral presentations where the audience will join the discussion

Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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Field Excursion:
This is open for all delegates both SAESM and outside SAESM. This represents an integral and very
important component of the Colombo SAESM where the foreign undergraduate delegates,
accompanied by a selected local undergraduates, embark on an excursion tour to create opportunities
to develop fellowship and long-term networking.

During the tour, several activities will be

incorporated to achieve the set goals of the excursion. This item is a selffunded component financed
out of the contributions of US$ 150 by each delegate.

Guidelines for Research Papers

All delegates are advised to follow the guidelines stated below for the research paper submissions
at the Colombo SAESM 2015
1.

The authors are advised to focus on the main issues covered by a theme with respect to
his/her own country and, not any narrowed-down issue or a case study. However, each
author will have the freedom to decide his/her own topic suitable for the paper.

2.

The papers must demonstrate application of Economics knowledge in addressing the chosen
issue relevant to his/her own country. Theories and models may be used in placing and
analyzing the issue in the context, but the application is the key.

3.

The authors are required to strictly adhere to the standard technical specifications of
academic research papers.

4.

The expected standard of the presentations takes into account that the delegates are
undergraduates and hence the expected academic excellence and competency is at normal
academic standards at undergraduate level.

5.

Format to be adhered to:

a)

Font type: Times New Roman

b)

Font size: 16 for section headings, 14 for sub-headings, 12 for text, 10 for footnotes

c)

Bold and italic are accepted

d)

Line spacing: 1.15

e)

Document size: 4000-5000 words (10-12 pages, excluding cover page)

f)

Page numbers: bottom-right

g)

Color: black and white only

Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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h)

6.

Referencing: Harvard style

Cover page
a)

[On the top of the sheet]: SOUTH ASIAN ECONOMICS STUDENTS MEET, Dec.
13-20, 2015, UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

7.

8.

b)

Session Theme of the paper, as given in this document

c)

Title of the paper, as chosen by the author

d)

Name of the author, university, country

e)

Abstract of the paper, not exceeding 100 words

Conference presentation
a)

Power Point presentations, strictly limited to 15 minutes

b)

Questions/comments and responses, limited to 5 minutes

c)

Discussion by two academics/experts, each one for 10 minutes

d)

Questions/comments, not allowed from the authors own country team

Deadlines for submission to Colombo SAESM 2015

a)

A copy of the abstract in MS WORD format should be sent by October 15th , 2015 (to
be included in the conference brochure)

b)

Conference papers in MS WORD format should be sent by October 30th , 2015 (to be
evaluated prior to the conference)

c)

9.

Power Point presentations should be sent by November 30th 2015

Submission
a)

Both abstracts and Papers should be submitted first to the respective Country
Coordinators who will take the responsibility of sending them to Colombo as a
complete set.

b)

Email address for all submissions and other correspondence: drc@econ.cmb.ac.lk

Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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Feedback and Dissemination

(1)

All the participants of the conference are expected should provide (a) an evaluation of the
conference and (b) a 2-page post-conference report to the FNF.

(2)

The country teams in collaboration with the respective FNF offices should organize a postconference seminar(s) at their respective universities to disseminate knowledge and
experience they gained from the SAESM 2010 to a wider audience of staff and students.

Cost of Air Travel and Hotel Accommodation

SAESM Member Delegates
The Colombo SAESM 2015 plans to fund the economy class airfare; and full-board hotel
accommodation on double-sharing basis.

SEASM Observer Delegates

The Colombo SAESM expects that delegates will bear cost of airfare; and full/part of the hotel

accommodation costs (we are working on the possibility of funding part of the hotel room
costs subject to the availability of funds)

Arrivals and Departures

All country delegates should arrive in Colombo subject to the time table of the Colombo
SAESM 2015 stated above. The delegates will be picked up from the airport and transported
to a prearranged hotel. Each country team is expected to bear the visa costs and other
ancillary costs that may arise during the period of stay in Sri Lanka

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN COLOMBO

Colombo SAESM 2015, Colombo

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