Mr. Ijaz Ahmad ENT Surgeon, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham introduced Prof. Hisham Mehanna of Univ. Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and Director, Institute of Head/Neck Studies and Education who spoke “How to set up a research programme in ENT? He explained about his own research project; advised meticulous planning and one should find out what has been done so far. He gave valuable ideas about what funders look for in a successful grant application and one should meet the funders and have an open session and discussion. How to seek ethics committee for approval and dealing with R&D departments. He explained how to run a clinical trial – challenges and pitfalls; working with a Clinical Trials Unit and understanding the new NHS research funding system. He touched upon how to choose a journal and what editors look for in a good paper.

Next speaker was Max Malik (former GP) “A Journey outside medicine”. He grew up in Britain and has travelled extensively thus gaining knowledge of many cultures, religions and philosophies. Max won the Muslim Writers’ Awards, Creative Writer of the Year 2007. He talked about his recent book “The Butterfly Hunter” which was been shortlisted for the Brit Writers’ Awards Published Writer 2011.

Haroon Khan gave an update on Cochlear Implant Project in Pakistan and introduced the Surgeons from Dow University currently in U.K. Their visit was arranged by ENT Society and funded by IMRA(U.K.Charity) to spend 3 months at Great Ormond Children’s Hospital and Institute of ENT, Grays Inn Road, London. They observed the assessment, surgery and rehabilitation of cochlear implant children and adults.

Prof. Farooq spoke about the present set up of Dow University and future developments for the Cochlear Implant programme. Prof. Khyani spoke about the training facilities and temporal bone courses.

The meeting was sponsored by Bien Air U.K. Ltd and delegates enjoyed a delicious meal at the end.

The next meeting was planned for late Autumn in Manchester.