What was it like at EUREP25?

By Dr. Qayssar Al Azzawi

At the end of August, I had the great pleasure of participating at EUREP25, which is a unique opportunity for urology residents in their final year of training.

The programme comprised six days and offered a combination of theoretical teaching and practical training. Leading experts from across Europe provided updates and insights with a strong focus on the latest EAU Guidelines. There were hands-on training opportunities in a wide range of operations and procedures, including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP), iTind (temporary inserted nitinol device), and Aquablation, as well as training in sacral neuromodulation (SNM) and laparoscopic techniques. This provided a valuable bridge between guideline-based knowledge and everyday surgical practice. 

All in all, EUREP25 was an intensive and highly educational week that strengthened both my practical skills and my understanding of international standards. Meeting colleagues from all over Europe also gave a strong sense of belonging to a larger international community. I look forward to applying this new knowledge and these experiences in my daily work at the Department of Urology at Zealand University Hospital (SUH).

By Dr. Kevin Chang Yue Wei

Attending the programme was one of the most enriching and transformative experiences of my training. As a final-year urology trainee from Malaysia, it was a privilege to be part of this world-class educational initiative, which brought together outstanding trainees and faculty from across Europe and Asia. I am deeply grateful to the Malaysian Urological Association (MUA) for granting me the opportunity to attend EUREP25.

The scientific content was thoughtfully curated and expertly delivered, with each day focused on a key urological domain. I found the modules on stone disease and sexual and reproductive health particularly impactful. The stone disease sessions covered practical strategies for complex stone management and updated approaches to metabolic workup and prevention. In the sexual health modules, discussions on male infertility, varicocele, and erectile dysfunction provided depth and clinical clarity. These were areas I had previously studied—but at EUREP, there were genuine lightbulb moments that shifted my understanding and deepened my clinical insight.

A major highlight was the hands-on training. I participated in the penile prosthesis and sacral neuromodulation stations—both of which added tremendous value. Being able to handle the devices, simulate procedural steps, and receive expert feedback helped consolidate anatomical concepts and sharpened my procedural thinking. The experience bridged the gap between theory and practice in a way few courses can offer.

Beyond academic excellence, EUREP offered a unique environment of collaboration and professional exchange. Trainees from diverse healthcare systems came together with a shared commitment to advancing urological care. The atmosphere was energising—serious about learning, but also collegial and inspiring.

To any urology resident considering EUREP: do not miss it. It is a programme that refines your clinical judgment, enhances your technical confidence, and delivers numerous lightbulb moments along the way. But more than that, it makes you a better doctor—more reflective, more precise, and more connected to the global urological community.

I returned home with renewed motivation, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the specialty we serve. I am sincerely grateful to the EAU for making EUREP25 such a memorable and meaningful experience.

By Dr. Giovanni Drocchi

I arrived in Prague not knowing a lot about the programme other than the positive feedback from my older colleagues. In his moving and compelling presentation, Prof. James N'Dow set the tone of the programme in the days to come.

I felt well taken care of during EUREP25; I learned a lot and understood more of the important concepts of difficult topics such as testes cancer (whose precise management is challenging for a resident), the guidelines, and practical application. 

The other topics that I found extremely interesting were the sessions led by Prof. Andreas Skolarikos and Prof. Juan Ignacio Martínez-Salamanca on stones and male infertility, respectively. They provided complex information and updates with clarity. 

The programme’s format is incredible because it allowed us to have an accurate point of view on the EAU Guidelines while taking the daily clinical practice into account. EUREP25 also helped build rapport and friendships among urology peers from all over Europe.

The lessons were full of interactions with tutors that encouraging us to ask our questions and engaging discussions between us and them. It was also very interesting for me to see the different perspectives of my peers from other countries.

I enrolled in as many practical courses as I could. My favourite was the hands-on-training “Laparoscopic Urological Skills - Step 2” because of the complexity of the model and the skills I learned with the help of the tutor. I am also pleased to receive the Endoscopic Stone Treatment Step 1 EAU Certification with great satisfaction.

I would definitely recommend EUREP to my junior colleagues due to its invaluable contribution of knowledge, experience, and friendship. It is a lot of fun, too!

By Dr. Ieva Znotina

Participating in EUREP25 was one of the most rewarding professional experiences I have had so far. The programme offered an outstanding combination of hands-on training, high-quality lectures, and the chance to interact with colleagues from across the globe. What makes EUREP unique is not only the scientific content but also the collaborative and enthusiastic atmosphere in every session.

The hands-on trainings were, without doubt, the highlight of the programme. I had the chance to perform HoLEP for the very first time in a safe and controlled training environment, which made the experience both exciting and reassuring. Being guided step by step by experts helped me understand the technique and its nuances in a way no textbook could offer. Equally valuable was the time spent on laparoscopic training. Working with simulators allowed me to refine basic skills and improve my laparoscopic suturing in a realistic but risk-free setting. The structured supervision from faculty ensured that each attempt came with feedback I could immediately apply. This balance of theory and practice is what made the learning so effective and memorable.

Beyond the technical skills, EUREP25 created an environment of openness and exchange. The faculty members were approachable and willing to share not only their successes but also their complications and lessons learned, which made the discussions more authentic. Equally inspiring was meeting peers from different healthcare systems, exchanging ideas about clinical practice, and building friendships that I am sure will last well beyond the programme.

To my colleagues who are considering whether to apply, I cannot recommend EUREP highly enough. It is not simply a training programme—it is an immersive experience that broadens your clinical skills, sharpens your critical thinking, and connects you to an international community of urologists. If you are ready to challenge yourself, learn from leaders in the field, and take your practice to the next level, EUREP is the place to be.

Seize the opportunity to join EUREP26 next year and remember to inform your peers! The selection criteria include that you must be an EAU member, and a resident in your final year of training. Registration opens on 5 January 2026. Save the date and stay tuned for more updates!