CEORL-HNS Academy
The CEORL-HNS Academy is the educational platform of the Confederation of European Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (CEORL-HNS). Its mission is to serve as a European educational hub for ENT professionals, providing high-quality training that supports lifelong learning and helps clinicians maintain and advance their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. A particular focus is placed on supporting residents and early-career specialists in their clinical development and in preparing for national and international examinations.
The Academy's flagship programme, Current Practice in ORL-HNS, was established by Prof. Tomislav Baudoin, who organised the first CEORL-HNS Academy Course in Zagreb, Croatia, on 3–4 March 2023. The inaugural course welcomed 100 participants from 24 countries. Building on this success, the programme has grown into a twice-yearly event, with the sixth course scheduled to take place in Venice, Italy, in October 2026.
A defining feature of the Current Practice in ORL-HNS programme is its highly interactive, case-based format. Over one and a half days, participants work through 25 representative clinical scenarios covering the breadth of ENT practice. Guided by experienced senior clinicians, they discuss diagnostic strategies, management options, and clinical decision-making in a collaborative environment designed to strengthen both clinical reasoning and practical problem-solving skills.
Beyond delivering outstanding educational content, the Academy aims to foster a vibrant European community of young ENT professionals. By bringing together participants from across Europe in an open, interactive, and informal academic environment, the Academy encourages the exchange of ideas, the development of lasting professional networks, and friendships that will support future collaboration throughout their careers.
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Course Programme
"Current practice in ORL-HNS"
7th edition
Dubrovnic, Croatia
2-3 April 2027
8th edition
Bratislava, Slovakia
Autumn 2027
Photo: ©Walkerssk
Highlights from the CEORL-HNS Course
Past Courses
5th edition
REPORT
The fifth course of the CEORL-HNS Academy was held on March 13th and 14th, 2026, in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The Academy courses are the Confederation of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (CEORL-HNS) 's largest educational activity. The Academy is completely subsidized by the Confederation; it should be organized in an academic atmosphere, with no sponsorship from pharmaceutical or medical instruments companies, and a symbolic fee of 100 Euros.
After 4 successful courses attended by about 350 participants from 40 countries, we decided to continue the educational series. Due to the significant interest, we started in 2025 with two courses per year: the spring course will be in Dubrovnik, and the autumn course in another city.
The fifth course was held on the University of Dubrovnik's campus. Sixty-four participants and 22 moderators from 30 countries were registered. Prof. Hideyuki Kawauchi from Japan gave a lecture during the opening ceremony.
The concept of the course was “problem-based learning”, where moderators interactively worked with participants in small groups, passing through 25 ORL-HNS cases. In addition to regular sessions, a quiz called „Who Wants to Be an Academy Millionaire“ was held, with the three winners earning free entry into the 6th course.
The course ended with a guided city tour and a get-together party.
The fifth CEORL-HNS Academy successfully completed its tasks in both the professional and social programs, as confirmed by a survey completed by participants.
The sixth course will be held in Venice, from October 26 to 27, 2026, on the San Servolo Island in the Venice Lagoon, Italy.
4th edition
REPORT
In Thessaloniki, Greece, on October 3rd and 4th, 2025, the fourth course of the Academy of the Confederation of European Societies of ORL - Head and Neck Surgery took place. The event was held at the Medical Faculty of Aristotle University. After successfully organizing three courses in Croatia, we decided to expand to other parts of Europe. It was agreed that Dubrovnik, specifically the Dubrovnik University Campus, would serve as the Academy’s headquarters, with courses hosted in Dubrovnik in spring and in other European cities in fall. Next year, following the spring course in Dubrovnik, an autumn course will be held in Padua, Italy.
Participants were divided into five groups of 15 students each, in five separate lecture halls. The course was structured around the „problem-based learning„ model, with 25 ENT topics covered interactively with the participants. The course ended with a guided tour of Thessaloniki and a party at City Hall.
The meeting fully achieved its objectives in both the professional and social programme, as demonstrated by the evaluation surveys completed by the participants, who rated the course and all lecturers as excellent.
3rd edition
REPORT
The third course of the CEORL-HNS Academy was held on 4-5 April 2025 in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The Academy of The Confederation of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (CEORL-HNS) was launched as a part of CEORL-HNS educational activities. After 2 courses, it has been recognized as a valuable educational event which attracts numerous ORL-HNS residents and young otorhinolaryngolgogists.
The third course was organized in collaboration with the Croatian Society of ORL-HNS and the coordinator was Tomislav Baudoin. It was held on the campus of the University of Dubrovnik. A total of 100 participants and 25 moderators from 33 European countries attended. Three observing moderators from Bangladesh and Malaysia joined us.
The concept of the course was “problem-based learning”, where moderators interactively with participants passed through 30 ORL-HNS cases. Participants were divided into six groups in six rooms. The course ended with a guided city tour and a get-together party.
The third CEORL-HNS Academy fulfilled its tasks with distinction in the professional and the social program, confirmed by the survey filled out by the participants.
The Presidential Council of the CEORLHNS decided to continue with the Academy courses. Due to significant interest of European ORL-HNS residents and young doctors, we decided to organize the event twice per year. In the spring it will be held in Dubrovnik, established as a basis of the Academy and in the autumn it will be held in other European cities. Thessaloniki in Greece will be next venue and on 3-4 October 2025 and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will be the host to the fourth Academy course.
2nd edition
REPORT
The second course of the CEORL-HNS Academy was held on 12-13 April 2024 in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The Confederation of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (CEORL-HNS) decided to launch the Academy as a part of its educational activity. The Academy is tasked with improving and updating knowledge and skills among European ORL-HNS residents and young specialists according to European standards and modern guidelines and aiding in their preparation for the local and international exams. Besides this educational task, the Academy's mission is to gather young people from all around Europe in a spirit of friendship and raise awareness of belonging to the same community of European otorhinolaryngologists – head and neck surgeons.
As the first Course of the Academy organized in Zagreb on March 2023 was very successful we were encouraged to organize the second Academy Course.
The second course was organized in collaboration with the Croatian Society of ORL-HNS and the coordinator was Tomislav Baudoin. It was held on the campus of the University of Dubrovnik. Seventy-five participants from 22 European countries were registered. The course was led by 14 moderators, three from Croatia and the UK, and one from Luxembourg, Czechia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and France.
The concept of the course was “problem-based learning”, where moderators interactively with participants passed through 25 ORL-HNS cases. Participants were divided into five groups of 15 participants and 5 rooms. The course ended with a guided city tour and a get-together party.
The second CEORL-HNS Academy fulfilled its tasks in the professional and the social program, what was confirmed by the survey filled out by the participants.
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1st edition
REPORT
Held on the first weekend of March, this event was organized by Prof. Tomislav Baudoin in the center of Zagreb, Croatia under the Confederation of European ORL-HNS and welcomed 100 active participants from 24 countries from all over Europe and beyond. Event was aimed for ENT residents and young specialists, who seeked to improve their ORL-HNS knowledge and prepare for the national and international board exams. The faculty included professionals and experts in the field from Croatia, Slovakia, United Kingdom, Serbia, Luxembourg and Turkey.
The program lasted two days from morning till early evening and consisted of case studies, that covered current guidelines on diagnosis and management of ORL-HNS diseases, according to the European standards. Participants were divided into 10 groups, in which they discussed case studies of patients, with varying ENT conditions, such as nasal polyposis, allergic rhinitis, otitis media, facial nerve paralysis, thyroid cancer or dysphagia among other. The key aspect of the academy was a classroom environment, where the participants had to engage in the topic, show the thought process behind diagnostics, differential diagnosis and further management of the patient, as well ask questions and discuss their experience in the clinical practice. It also gave an opportunity to work together and share the knowledge between the young residents and faculty. Through these case studies, residents gained invaluable insights, that can help them in their future medical practice. Evenings provided faculty and participants with free time to explore historical city center and nightlife of Zagreb. The academy was concluded by a get together party in the local pub, where everyone could relax, enjoy their time and discuss the events of the weekend.
Overall, the event was an excellent platform for networking and sharing ideas and served as a source of inspiration and motivation for young residents pursuing their career and taking their ORL-HNS exams. We hope to join in next time.
Diana Ugorová, MD, 4th year of training program in ORL-HNS
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Bratislava, Slovakia
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| Tomislav Baudoin, Croatia Course Coordinator |
Michael Kuo, United Kingdom | Miroslav Tedla, Slovakia |