Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam (the fifth from the left) at the event. Photo: VNA

This comes after he resigned his post as former Deputy Chief Medical Official (DCMO) for the UK at the end of March to take up the role as Pro-Vice Chancellor for the faculty of medicine and health sciences at the University of Nottingham.

Nguyen Xuan Huan, chairman of the VIS, hailed Sir Jonathan’s role as honorary chairman. He affirmed that the Professor’s support will help VIS fulfil its mission of enhancing connection and co-operation among members, as well as strengthening co-operation between both sides in important fields such as science, technology, and economics.

During the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long expressed his confidence that Sir Jonathan will make effective contributions to the association's activities.

The Ambassador also affirmed that education represents an important pillar in bilateral co-operation as the UK is the country’s leading partner in the field of education, especially in terms of higher education.

He went on to point out that with a network of members who are professors, PhD students, and intellectuals in the UK, VIS plays an important role as a bridge to promote educational co-operation between the two countries, cited VOV.

The diplomat said that the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK will try its utmost to support VIS's activities to develop the Vietnamese intellectual community in the UK, whilst also boosting educational co-operation between the two countries.

For his part, Sir Jonathan expressed his honor at taking on the position of honorary chairman of VIS. As a British national of Vietnamese origin who has worked for the British Government for a long time, he hopes to contribute to VIS's activities, as well as to boost collaboration between the two countries, which he believes has great potential.

Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam. Photo:

At the event, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam shared information and experience in Covid-19 pandemic prevention of the UK, especially the role of science and vaccines in pandemic prevention and preparedness for future pandemics. He also talked about his reflections on carrying out his responsibilities as a government health official.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, he has become famous for his press conferences on the situation that attracted millions of viewers. The Sunday Times called him an “unexpected hero in the pandemic”.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has received a Knighthood from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the fight against Covid-19, according to VNA.

At the Vietnam National Day celebration in London in September last year, the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK honored the professor for his provision of policy advice for Vietnam’s Covid-19 prevention and control.

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