What does it mean to truly “thrive” in school and life, rather than just getting by?

Recently, Ms. Dina El Nahas, our Head of School at Imperial College Egypt (ICE), addressed this exact question as a featured speaker at the prestigious Education Experts Conference. Held at the Modern Sciences and Arts University campus—and organized by World Arena Events, and International Kingdom College—the event brought together inspiring educational leaders to discuss the future of mental health and well-being in schools.

Here are the major highlights from Ms. Dina El Nahas’s inspiring presentation.

1. The PERMA Model: Intentionally Choosing Well-Being

The core of Ms. Dina’s speech focused on the PERMA model of well-being. PERMA is a psychological framework that helps individuals move past survival mode and enter a state of true flourishing.

Instead of just managing stress, Ms. Dina emphasized the importance of intentionally choosing to thrive, both in education and in our daily lives, by focusing on five core pillars:

• Positive Emotion

• Engagement

• Relationships

• Meaning

• Accomplishment

2. The Power of Authentic Human Connection

What made the 2026 conference unforgettable for Ms. Dina wasn’t just the lectures, but the genuine power of human connection.

Through shared conversations and aligned values, she connected deeply with fellow inspiring educators, creating a powerful ripple effect. One of the iconic attendees who graced the event was Dr. Nawal El Degwy, who was surrounded by a community that deeply respects, values, and appreciates her massive contributions to education.

3. Why We Do What We Do: A Lesson from Simon Sinek

Events like this always push educators back to Simon Sinek’s famous question: “Why do we do what we do?” For Ms. Dina and the ICE team, the answer is clearer than ever: to build an educational ecosystem where mental health, purpose, and community are prioritized just as much as academic grades.