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Economics Faculty Research Paper Presentations

Economics Faculty Research Paper Presentations were held on 25th October, 2018. Beenish Amir and Nayab Kanwal presented their MPhil research (abstracts given below).

Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Fasting on Cognitive Development of Children

Beenish Amir

Abstract

Evidence has shown that prenatal nutritional shocks have a long-lasting impact on health, cognitive ability and adult outcomes. This study looks at the impact of exposure to fasting on the academic achievement of children who are formally educated. The study uses exposure to Ramadan of pregnant Muslims as a natural experiment to analyze this impact. Relative to famines and wars, Ramadan is a milder shock and lasts for a shorter time period. This study uses LEAPS (Learning and Educational Achievements in Punjab Schools) panel data collected by World Bank for different regions of Punjab. As actual fasting behavior of pregnant Muslims cannot be observed, the study to uses "intention to treat" approach; this permits measurement of impact in presence of non-compliance. Results show that exposure to fasting in the first trimester has a negative effect on test scores of students.

Financial Development, Natural Resources, Endogenous Technology and Economic Growth: Transitional Dynamics and Closed-form Solutions

Nayab Kanwal

Abstract

This paper presents a three-sector finance-extended endogenous growth model, with constant returns to scale in natural resource production in combination with physical capital and technological progress. In our model, natural capital can be allocated across two sectors: the production of the final consumption good and the production of technological capital (in the form of new ideas). We are considering both renewable and non-renewable natural resources, and taking endogenous technological progress. We will analyze the transitional dynamics of our model where financial intermediation affects physical capital, natural capital and technological progress.