Thank You, Singapore: SmashUrology at URCS 2026

In August I made my first ever trip to Singapore, for URCS 2026, the Singapore Urological Association's residents' course, from 12 to 14 August.

It was a trip that meant a lot to me. Singapore was one of the very first countries to use SmashUrology, within the first month of launch, back when there wasn't much of a platform to back. Getting to say thank you in person was the main reason I wanted to go.

Where it all started

I was given some time in the opening session to talk about SmashUrology. I shared the story of how it began: a side project during my registrar training, built because I couldn't find the resource I needed when I was preparing for my own exams.

I also told the residents how grateful I was. Singapore trainees were some of the first to support the platform in its first days, and a lot of what SmashUrology is today comes from early users like them who gave it a go and told us what to fix.

The mock test

SmashUrology ran a mock test competition for the residents, covering the whole of urology, from metabolic stone biochemistry to renal trauma.

• 15residents took part
• 50questions
• 30minutes
• 88%top score

Congratulations to Dr Benjamin Lim, who absolutely smashed it, taking first place with 88%. Benjamin wins 12 months' full access to SmashUrology to help with his studies ahead of his exam next year.

Well done to everyone who sat it. Doing 50 questions against the clock in front of your peers takes some nerve.

"SmashUrology has been the exact study aid I needed and passed my exams thanks to it."

Urology resident, Singapore

Same guidelines, same worries

I sat in on the teaching across the course. Apart from realising I've forgotten 90% of the deep knowledge I once knew better than anything else, what struck me was how identical the principles are.

A resident in Singapore is reading the same EAU guidelines, worrying about the same evidence in metastatic prostate cancer, and being examined on the same foundations as a registrar in the UK. Good education travels.

Dr Jia-Lun Kwok kindly made time for me between sessions and reminded me that everyone still has something to learn about stones. And it was brilliant hearing direct feedback on the platform from the people actually using it. They're the ones shaping what it becomes.

Familiar faces from Glasgow

One of the best parts of the trip was catching up with three urologists who did their robotic fellowships with us at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

Dr Pradeep Durai

Leads urology and sits on the Singapore Urological Association committee. Former fellow at QEUH, Glasgow.

Pradeep was my boss during his time in Glasgow, and he's the reason this visit happened. He arranged the whole thing, and his commitment to education is a big part of why Singapore got behind SmashUrology so early.

Dr Chester Choo

Robotic pelvic oncologist in Singapore. Former robotic fellow at QEUH, Glasgow.

It was great to catch up with Chester, who also made sure I was introduced to some proper local hawker food.

Dr Zainal Adwin Zainal Abiddin

Urologist in Malaysia. Former robotic fellow in pelvic oncology at QEUH, Glasgow.

Zainal isn't technically based in Singapore, but he drove across from Malaysia to meet up, and introduced me to some excellent ramen. We talked about urology education in Malaysia and the differences between the UK and Malaysian healthcare systems, which was fascinating.

Thank you, Singapore

Singapore is a beautiful place, with great food and a real mix of cultures, but above all it was the people that made it. Everyone was so welcoming, and I hope to be back soon.

A huge thank you to Pradeep, Chester, Zainal, Dr Kwok and all the residents who took part. I'm really looking forward to working more with colleagues in Singapore, Malaysia and hopefully across the wider region.