Prof. Vidal Ashkenazi Jan 2017 courtesy of NSL

Prof. Vidal Ashkenazi awarded an OBE in New Year's Honours List for Services to Science

We are very pleased to share the good news that Professor Vidal Ashkenazi, the founding Director of what is now known as the Nottingham Geospatial Institute - the Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy - has been awarded an OBE. 

Speaking about the award he said:

"I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded an OBE.  However, even more importantly, at long last this award recognises the contribution of scientists and technologists to society in terms of satellite positioning, navigation and timing.

Innovator, Mentor and Entrepreneur

In 1976 he was invited by the US National Geodetic Survey to assist with the development of geodetic coordinate systems, which allow the information broadcast by positioning satellites to be translated into a coordinated position on a map.  That framework is still in use today by satellite navigation and mapping systems. 

His academic legacy at the University of Nottingham includes the creation of a research institute that maintains an international reputation for satellite navigation; as well as supervising a generation of PhD students, many of whom are now in senior positions in universities and industry around the world.  

When he retired from academic life, Vidal founded, and became CEO of Nottingham Scientific Ltd (NSL).  A company that commercialises the innovation and expertise developed at Nottingham and other UK universities.  NSL has become Europe's leading GNSS company, and one of the UK's leading space companies.

Vidal is still very much in demand at conferences and congresses around the world where he is a popular and entertaining keynote speaker and chair for panel discussions.