At the VIS's Annual General Meeting (AGM) convened at the Judge Business School under the University of Cambridge on February 17, Prof. Nguyen Xuan Huan, VIS Chairman, emphasized that with its members being professors, doctors, and scientists working in various fields in the UK and Ireland, VIS stands ready to provide counselling to the Vietnamese Government in formulating policies tailored to the country's context.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of aligning with global technological trends.
In 2023, VIS significantly facilitated educational collaboration between Viet Nam and the UK through a mentoring programme sponsored by the British Council.
VIS professors directly mentored and advised nearly 100 young lecturers from 50 Vietnamese universities through this initiative. They aided their skill development, including publishing studies and international scientific articles, forming research groups, and building internationally accredited laboratories.
In 2022, VIS's initiatives also extended to launching the Mentorship and Talent Development (MTD) programme at the National Economics University in Ha Noi, which aims to support talented students. It also collaborated with the British Council to connect researchers from both countries.
Not only contributing to Viet Nam-UK cooperation activities, VIS is a place to support and connect Vietnamese intellectuals in the UK and Ireland to build a strong, united Vietnamese intellectual community in the two countries.
The Coffee Talk event is an outstanding VIS initiative in fostering member connections. On this online-themed discussion platform, members across the UK share insights and experiences on scientific research activities, professional expertise and soft skills.
In 2023, VIS held 13 Coffee Talk sessions featuring speakers from various fields.
Also, VIS admitted over 60 new members last year, increasing the total membership to 154. These members include professors, associate professors, senior lecturers and Vietnamese researchers studying or working at over 60 universities in the UK and Ireland.
The AGM, an annual event, serves as a platform for VIS to review its past activities and chart its course for the future.
Following the meeting, VIS partnered with the Vietnamese Student Association in Cambridge to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Westminster College, University of Cambridge./.