Alumni “The Power of Play”

AKSB 904, Beirut campus

As part of its Keep Learning alumni lectures program, the Alumni Relations Office at LAU is organizing a lecture titled: “The Power of Play in Professional and Daily Life” by Mahmoud Natout, Ph.D.

Our society tends to dismiss play for adults. Play is perceived as unproductive, insignificant, or even a guilty pleasure. The notion is that once we reach adulthood, our personal and professional responsibilities leave us no time for play. However, play brings joy and it’s vital for problem solving, creativity, and healthy relationships both at work and beyond.

Mahmoud Natout is an educator, trainer, researcher, and grappler who is keen on integrating play in all his work. He has worked as a researcher, trainer, and consultant for various governmental and non-governmental organization including the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD), Higher Council for Childhood - Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), and UNICEF among others. He is the co-founder of L3b (play) which is dedicated to harnessing the power of play to unlock human potential for creativity and innovation in all stage of life. Natout holds a Ph.D. in Education and a Master’s in Science and Religion from the University of Oxford. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from LAU.

Topics to be covered:

• Understanding play
• The transformational power of play
• (Re)introducing play at work and in everyday life:
  • Professionals at play
  • Parents at play
  • Partners at play
• Becoming life-long players
• 21st-century challenges and the potential of play in transforming (some of) them

Coffee and refreshments will follow.

Alumni with a valid Alumni ID may park at the AKSB underground parking lot.

Registration starts at 6:00 p.m. Please confirm your attendance by November 9 at alumni.relations@lau.edu.lb or 009611786456 ext. 1136.