Newcastle University has sparked controversy following the appointment of Anant Ambani, heir to an Indian oil and gas fortune, as a professor of practice in sustainability. The decision has drawn criticism from conservationists, academics, and environmentalists who question the suitability of Ambani’s background and activities for the role.
The university stated that Ambani’s professorship recognizes his efforts in conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship. Ambani, 31, is the son of Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest individual, whose wealth largely stems from oil and gas enterprises including ownership of the world’s largest oil refinery. Mukesh Ambani maintains close ties with India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and companies affiliated with his conglomerate, Reliance, have recently made significant donations to the party. Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, attended Anant Ambani’s extravagant 2024 wedding in Mumbai.
Anant Ambani serves as the executive board member responsible for renewable energy initiatives at Reliance and is reported to have a personal net worth of £90 billion. He established Vantara, a 1,400-hectare private zoo near the family’s refining complex in Gujarat. The facility houses over 150,000 animals, including 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles, and was the venue for Ambani’s pre-wedding events. Concerns have been raised by conservation groups regarding the sourcing of some animals, particularly endangered species, although no formal legal violations have been substantiated.
The announcement of Ambani’s role was met with skepticism and disapproval. Ramachandra Guha, a prominent Indian public intellectual and environmental historian, described the appointment as “mystifying” and questioned the university’s rationale, emphasizing the existence of many individuals with more demonstrable contributions to sustainability. Indian wildlife investigator Bhuvan Mangalore called the move into question, while Newcastle University academic staff expressed misgivings over environmental implications, as reported by the University and College Union’s local chair, Matt Perry.
Lyla Mehta, head of climate, environment, and sustainability at the University of Sussex’s Institute of Development Studies, warned that declining public funding for universities could lead to increased influence of wealthy individuals and corporations over academic priorities. Environmental campaigner Lorne Stockman from Oil Change International highlighted the perceived contradiction between the climate crisis and Ambani’s family’s oil and gas interests, urging public institutions to adopt stronger stances on fossil fuel reduction.
In April, Anant Ambani launched Vantara University, promoted as the world’s first global university focused on wildlife conservation and veterinary sciences. The Ambani family and Vantara have consistently denied allegations of wildlife trafficking, stating their commitment to animal rescue, rehabilitation, and care.
A Newcastle University spokesperson reaffirmed the university’s position, citing Ambani’s work with Vantara and his leadership role in Reliance’s transition toward green energy as key factors in the appointment. The university has not indicated any plans to reconsider the decision amid ongoing criticism.