CHAPTER SEA is delighted to share Dr. Lee Yew Kong’s study on The Learning Ideas Conference 2026 to be hosted at Columbia University, New York, United States, from 10 to 12 June 2026. The conference brought together worldwide educators, researchers, and learning innovators to study current trends and advances in learning technology, instructional design, and digital transformation in higher education and workplace learning.

Dr. Lee delivered a presentation, “Applying Walldorf’s Framework for the Cultural Adaptation of European Virtual Patient Resources in Southeast-Asian Healthcare Curricula."

The talk highlighted the increasing significance of cultural adaptability within the education of digital health professions. Virtual patient resources have become essential tools for healthcare learners to acquire abilities in clinical reasoning, decision making, and patient-centered care. However, many of these tools are established in specific cultural and clinical settings, which may restrict their applicability when used in other locations.

The study explored how European virtual patient cases were adapted to better suit the sociocultural, educational, and healthcare context of Southeast Asia using Walldorf’s Framework for Cultural Adaptation. This framework offers a systematic way to detect cultural aspects in learning materials and to drive alterations that increase cultural contextuality without compromising the educational objectives.

The presentation demonstrated the impact of culturally customized virtual patient resources on increasing learner engagement, authenticity, and educational efficacy. These materials can better educate healthcare students for real world clinical practice in their communities by mirroring local healthcare systems, communication styles, patient expectations, and cultural norms.

The Learning Ideas Conference provides a chance to share the work of CHAPTER SEA with a worldwide audience of educators and researchers devoted to furthering innovation in learning and educational technology. The conference provides an international arena for discussion on innovative approaches to digital learning, artificial intelligence, simulation-based education, and technology enhanced teaching and learning.

This presentation shows our continued commitment at CHAPTER SEA to champion high quality, culturally relevant healthcare education across Southeast Asia. Through research, cooperation, and innovation, CHAPTER SEA continues to promote the development of educational solutions that enhance clinical reasoning, professional competence, and healthcare outcomes across the region.

We would like to congratulate Dr. Lee Yew Kong for this success and thank him for representing CHAPTER SEA in this important international conference.