Oddvar Midtkandal received The King’s Medal of Merit in silver December 14, both for his achievements as the administrating director of Kings Bay AS in the past six years, and for his 35 years career in the Norwegian Defense System.

He gained the medal partly due to the fact that his concern in organizing Kings Bay AS, his interest in and care for the employees, has led to an increase of activity with good implementations for science.

Oddvar Midtkandal is leaving Kings Bay AS after six years as director.

On Tuesday September 1, the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon visited Ny-Ålesund as part of his visit to Svalbard and the Arctic.  

He was accompanied by the Norwegian Minister of the Environment, Mr. Erik Solheim, and the Governor of Svalbard, Mr. Per Sefland. The director of Kings Bay AS, Mr. Oddvar Midtkandal, welcomed the distinguished guests upon their arrival early on Tuesday morning. The visit was hosted by the Norwegian Polar Institute.

The European Centre for Arctic Environmental Research in Ny-Ålesund has issued its last call for proposals for funding. ARCFAC is a Research Infrastructures Action under the FP6 framework programme of the EU.