Anant Ambani appointed sustainability professor at Newcastle University

Newcastle University has appointed Anant Ambani, executive director of Reliance Industries, as a Professor of Practice in Sustainability. The role is intended to bring his industrial experience in green energy, decarbonization, and wildlife conservation into an academic setting to assist students studying sustainability.

Ambani’s work includes overseeing renewable energy initiatives for the Reliance Group and managing the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Gujarat. He is also the founder of Vantara, a large private animal welfare and conservation facility.

The appointment has drawn criticism from conservation campaigners. Critics argue that the university, which is expected to hold corporations accountable, should reconsider the appointment given the Ambani family’s extensive interests in the oil and gas sectors through Reliance Industries.