Newcastle University in the United Kingdom has come under scrutiny after awarding a professorship of practice in sustainability to Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. The appointment, announced on September 14, recognizes Ambani’s role as an executive director at Reliance Industries, a major conglomerate involved in sectors including retail and oil, as well as his involvement with Vantara, a large wildlife rescue centre in India.

Vantara, which describes itself as the world’s largest rescue centre, recently made headlines amid concerns about its rapid acquisition of animals, including endangered species, from various parts of the world. Last month, the facility implemented a significant overhaul of its operating procedures following criticism of its animal management practices.

Newcastle University defended its decision by highlighting the alignment between Ambani’s work at Vantara and the institution’s research on global conservation and biodiversity goals. The university stated that the professorship acknowledges Ambani’s significant contributions toward advancing sustainability.

However, the appointment has drawn sharp criticism from conservation experts and academics. Lyla Mehta, a researcher at the Institute of Development Studies affiliated with the University of Sussex, expressed disapproval on social media, asserting that the university’s decision undermines the principles of sustainability and academic integrity. Mehta argued that universities should critically examine corporate power rather than providing it with academic legitimacy.

Wildlife conservationist Prerna Singh Bindra also challenged the portrayal of Vantara as a conservation facility. She described the centre as a captive animal facility, likening it to a zoo rather than a site of genuine conservation efforts. Bindra emphasized the importance of protecting animals within their natural habitats rather than in captivity and stressed the role of universities in responsibly training future conservationists.

The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the relationships between academic institutions, corporate influence, and conservation ethics, with critics urging more rigorous scrutiny of partnerships that may conflict with environmental and academic values.