Reinventing Medical Education in a Phygital World
Oct 15, 2026 — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Every Thursday
What happens when physical and digital learning experiences are no longer separate, but designed as one continuous ecosystem?
Medical education is evolving rapidly. Artificial intelligence, digital platforms, simulation, virtual learning and new expectations from learners are transforming not only how we teach, but also how learners connect, engage and develop professionally.
This special discussion will explore the emerging concept of phygital education — the intentional integration of physical and digital experiences — and consider what it could mean for the future of medical education.
Join Dr. Kay-Anne Haykal, Dr. Wided Batat and Dr. Svetlana De Vos for an interdisciplinary conversation bringing together medical education, human-centred innovation, marketing, consumer behaviour and phygital science.
Why attend?
This session will invite participants to consider:
- how physical and digital learning environments can be designed as a coherent experience;
- how human connection can remain central as education becomes increasingly digital;
- what medical education can learn from research on phygital ecosystems and human-centred innovation;
- how educators can create learning experiences that are more engaging, resilient and responsive to evolving learner needs.
Dr. Kay-Anne Haykal, OD, MD, CCFP, FCFP, MBA
Vice-Dean, Francophone Affairs Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Dr. Kay-Anne Haykal was appointed Vice-Dean of Francophone Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine for a five-year term effective September 1, 2025. In this role, Dr. Haykal joins the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) of the Faculty.
She is currently involved in an international project on phygital education, exploring how immersive digital tools and simulation-based learning environments can enhance training across different contexts This complements her broader mission of creating equitable, high-impact learning experiences for diverse learners.
Dr. Wided Batat, PhD
Founder of Phygital Science Scientpreneur, keynote speaker and bestselling author
Dr. Batat is a pioneer in the study of phygital experiences and human-centred innovation. Her work examines how organizations can integrate physical and digital experiences to create meaningful and sustainable value. She has published extensively on phygital ecosystems, experiential marketing, human-centred design and service innovation.
Dr. Svetlana De Vos, PhD
Marketing & Entrepreneurship Discipline Lead Australian Institute of Business
Dr. De Vos is an active researcher in marketing, consumer behaviour, management, ethics and integrity. Her recent scholarship explores phygital competencies, employee experiences during phygital transformation and the application of phygital frameworks to education, dance and sport.