Dean of the College of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Bandar Al-Jafen, Attends the 37th Annual ENT Updates Research Day Featuring Approximately 60 Research Papers
Photography: Yasser Al-Khudairi
The Dean of the College of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Bandar bin Nasser Al-Jafen, attended the activities of the 37th Annual ENT Updates Research Day on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, organized by the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the College of Medicine, in the presence of the Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Asim bin Abdulaziz Al-Fadda, faculty members of the department, and a distinguished group of male and female researchers, at the Lecture and Conference Hall at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. The event aimed to review the latest developments in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of ear, nose, and throat diseases, enhance the exchange of expertise, and support scientific research in the specialty. It featured approximately 60 research papers, presented orally or as scientific posters, alongside scientific sessions and interactive discussions involving experts, researchers, medical trainees, and students from colleges of medicine at several Saudi universities.
During the program, the Head of the Department, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Rashid, presented an overview of the department's activities and achievements, highlighting its research productivity indicators for 2025, which included the publication of 102 research papers in the Web of Science database, a total impact factor of 163.30, and a cumulative total of 72,246 research citations. He also highlighted King Saud University's 2026 ranking in the field of otolaryngology, in which it ranked first in Saudi Arabia and among Arab universities, fourth in the Middle East, and 187th globally, according to the SCImago ranking. The presentation also covered the department's research and innovation achievements, including faculty members obtaining two U.S. patents and a research paper by Dr. Ahmed Al-Ammar being ranked among the most viewed articles of 2025 in The Laryngoscope journal. He emphasized that the annual research day represents an extension of the department's efforts to promote continuing medical education, exchange expertise, and support scientific research, contributing to the development of the specialty and the advancement of healthcare quality in the Kingdom.
For his part, Prof. Dr. Bandar Al-Jafen praised the efforts of the department's staff and their research contributions, emphasizing the College's role in supporting scientific research and promoting publication and excellence. He also commended the Head of the Department for his presentation on the department's activities and achievements.
The Dean honored the graduates of the Otolaryngology Fellowship Program: Dr. Atheer Al-Sufyani, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Dr. Nasser Al-Majyoul, and Dr. Mayar Al-Saqr. He also honored the recipients of the department's 2025 Excellence Awards in recognition of their research, educational, and training achievements. The Research Excellence Awards included Prof. Dr. Fida bint Abdulaziz Al-Muhawis for the highest number of research papers published in journals indexed in SCIEK; Prof. Dr. Saad bin Abdulrazzaq Al-Saleh for the highest cumulative impact factor; Dr. Saleh bin Fahad Al-Dhaheri for the highest number of research citations; and Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Hassan Al-Maliki for the highest H-index. The Teaching, Fellowship, and Medical Residency Excellence Awards included Dr. Ahmed Al-Sayed, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Dr. Ruqayyah Al-Duaib, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, and Dr. Hisham Al-Mousa.
At the conclusion of the event, the winners of the research presentation competition were honored. Dr. Khalid Al-Asmary received first place, Dr. Ali Al-Rashidi received second place, and Dr. Khalid Al-Hussainan received third place, while Dr. Noura Al-Shahrani received the Best Scientific Poster Award.
