title: Academic development for urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Continuous education is mandatory for all urologists, and undertaking cooperative research is a very effective means for this. We describe the experience and possibilities for continuing education for urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. We hope to provide a framework for stimulating urological education and research in other countries where urologists face the same obstacles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from the perspective of two academics who co-operate with urologists from Iraq, and from the perspective of two officials from the Ministry of Higher education of the Kurdistan Regional Government who are responsible for stimulating continuous education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on a co-operative and supportive attitude of both Government and Academics, urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq have brought the standards of education and cooperative research to an internationally competitive level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors hope that the examples given here can stimulate urologists from Arab countries to fully engage in new urological developments, despite the obstacles that they perceive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dirk J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kok
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Delshad M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Maghdid
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Kurdistan Regional Government, Erbil, Iraq.
authors.forename: Maqsood S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Kurdistan Regional Government, Erbil, Iraq.
authors.forename: Govand H S
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Sherwani
keywords: AAU, Arab Association of Urology; AMR, antimicrobial resistance; EAU, European Association of Urology; ESBL, extended spectrum β-lactamase; HCDP, Human Capacity Development Program; KRG, Kurdistan Regional Government; KRI, Kurdistan region of Iraq