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Sustainability Chair Awarded to Zoo Heir, Sparks Outcry
25 Sep
Summary
- Newcastle University appointed Anant Ambani to a sustainability professorship.
- Critics argue the university is lending academic legitimacy to a controversial wildlife center.
- The university stated Ambani's work aligns with its conservation research goals.
Newcastle University has awarded a professorship of practice in sustainability to Anant Ambani, heir to a powerful business empire and associated with the Vantara wildlife center. The university announced on September 14, 2026, that the professorship was granted in recognition of Ambani's contributions to sustainability. His role as an executive director at Reliance Industries, a major conglomerate led by his father, was also highlighted.
This appointment has ignited controversy, with academics and conservationists expressing strong disapproval. Lyla Mehta, a researcher at the Institute of Development Studies, criticized the university, stating it risks undermining its role in questioning power and holding corporations accountable. Wildlife conservationist Prerna Singh Bindra also raised concerns, questioning the definition of conservation when applied to captive facilities like Vantara, which faced recent criticism regarding its vast animal acquisitions.
Vantara, which recently announced a reset of its procedures following international concerns, describes itself as a large rescue center. The university maintains that work at Vantara aligns with its global conservation and biodiversity research objectives.
