The talk of the Vietnamese Intellectual Society in the United Kingdom and Ireland (VIS) at the University of London. Photo: VIS

Having a position and prestige in science

Can you share some information about the development of the Vietnamese Intellectual Society in the United Kingdom and Ireland (VIS) today?

The Society was established in December 2020 with the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

From about 40 initial members, up to now, the Society has more than 120 members, including 14 professors, and 35 associate professors, the rest are senior lecturers, lecturers, and postdoctoral fellows working in more than 30 different professions (finance, banking, technology, law, journalism, environment, education) at nearly 70 universities in the UK and Ireland.

VIS is led by an Executive Committee consisting of one Chairman (Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Huan, Middlesex University London), two Vice Presidents (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Xuan Vinh, University of Warwick, and Dr. Dang Que Anh, University of Coventry), along with eight other executive committee members working in schools across regions of England and Ireland.

The Society is also honored to have Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, a British Vietnamese, famous for his scientific and leadership achievements during the Covid-19 period as the Honorary Chairman.

The Professor made significant contributions to the Society through lectures and annual sharing. In addition, the advisory board for the Society is Ambassadors, who are the direct communication channel to connect the Society with the departments and the Government of Vietnam.

What is the position of Vietnamese intellectuals in the UK and the Republic of Ireland today?

Before the establishment of the Vietnamese Intellectual Society in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Vietnamese community working in academia and scientific research in the UK and Ireland was large. However, connection and cooperation activities with Vietnam are at an individual level.

Realizing that the collective strength will do much more useful work, the Society was established in 2020. The position of the Society is growing stronger because the members are knowledgeable and have connections with both countries. Therefore, it is easy to find the necessary field to connect and cooperate.

Many VIS professors and associate professors have a high scientific reputation in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Through this, the Society will have the opportunity to participate in exchanges and dialogues with leaders of the state, government, and ministries of Vietnam.

Its goal is to build a strong intellectual community. The forerunner with a lot of experience will share with the latter. This is supported by young members, so the number of members of the Society has increased sharply since its establishment.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Huan, chairman of the Vietnamese Intellectual Society in the United Kingdom and Ireland (left) met and discussed with President Vo Van Thuong. Photo: VIS

In addition, VIS also cooperated with the Embassy of Vietnam in the UK, other associations and delegations to organize events and community activities.

Universities as well as government organizations in the UK and Ireland are beginning to see the role of the Society in promoting cooperation in education, and cooperation in scientific research.

VIS's role gradually developed, although its establishment time was not long (mostly during the Covid-19 period).

Strengthening Vietnam - UK relations

As the Chairman of the Vietnamese Intellectual Society in the United Kingdom and Ireland, what activities is the Society implementing to connect with Vietnam?

The Society had many activities to connect and develop the Vietnamese community in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

We are always looking to Vietnam with practical activities, such as mentoring young people, especially Ph.D. students or those who want to become Ph.D. students.

VIS has many members who can pass on the experience to the followers (about success or failure, project, work, laboratory construction, research).

The Society also connected with many Vietnamese universities, businesses, and technology companies in Vietnam. Every two weeks, the Society shares its expertise on the VIS Coffee Talk. We also provided policy advice to the Vietnamese government, ministries, and sectors.

In 2022, VIS organized events such as helping its members to create a strong Vietnamese community in the UK. Many seminars and events sharing about science, work, events to help young members in scientific research and finding research funds in the UK, as well as connecting with Vietnam have been organized.

We connect, build, cooperate and develop Vietnam-UK relations.

The Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in the UK and Ireland organizes academic exchanges and celebrates the Lunar New Year 2023 at Oxford University. Photo: VIS

In 2023, what outstanding plans will the Society implement in promoting overseas intellectual resources to serve the cause of national development?

VIS is carrying out many activities in Vietnam. Since March 2023, the Society has launched the VIS Coffee Talk to share the latest technology and research within a period of 2 weeks. From September 2023, it will be held once a month.

The Society just organized a special event "50 Years and Beyond Vietnam-UK Partnership in Innovation and Education" on June 19 in London to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the UK.

The VIS Mentorship and Talent Development Program (VIS MTD) will come into operation. The program along with a project of the British Council and the Ministry of Education will help 100 young staff and PhD students under Project 89.

The activities include mentoring (1-1 or small groups), 4 seminars on research publication, research funding, career development, and research groups, and support for Ph.D. students in Project 89. The Society also allows excellent mentees to go on field trips in the UK.

In addition, VIS will deploy activities to connect with the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam to cooperate in strategic fields with domestic organizations. VIS professors will conduct lectures for universities in the country.

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