Newcastle University appoints Indian oil heir Anant Ambani as sustainability professor

Newcastle University has appointed Anant Ambani, heir to an Indian fossil fuel fortune, as a Professor of Sustainability. The university stated the appointment recognizes his contributions to conservation, biodiversity, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from academics and environmentalists. Critics, including scholar Ramachandra Guha and researcher Lyla Mehta, have questioned the appointment's merit and expressed concerns that billionaire funding may compromise academic independence and lend undue credibility to the fossil fuel industry.

Ambani, son of India's wealthiest individual Mukesh Ambani, manages the Vantara private zoo in Gujarat. The 1,400-hectare facility has faced scrutiny from conservation groups regarding the sourcing of endangered species, though the family has denied allegations of wrongdoing and an Indian Supreme Court investigation found no misconduct.