Newcastle University faces criticism over appointing oil billionaire as sustainability professor

Newcastle University has come under criticism from conservation campaigners following the appointment of Anant Ambani, the billionaire heir behind India’s Vantara animal facility, to a professorship focused on sustainability.

In a ceremony in King’s Hall, Anant was appointed as a Professor of Practice in recognition of his involvement in conservation and biodiversity, as well as his work concerning animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, said Anant is “driving forward ambitious solutions that support the restoration of healthy, resilient ecosystems for future generations.”

The appointment has attracted scrutiny because of Anant’s family background. He is the son of Mukesh Ambani, one of India’s wealthiest individuals and the chairman of Reliance Industries, a conglomerate with extensive interests in oil and gas. Reliance operates the world’s largest oil-refining complex.

The Ambani family also has established links to India’s political establishment. Mukesh Ambani has publicly supported policies associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), while companies associated with the Reliance group have made substantial political donations. Modi was among the high-profile guests at Anant’s 2024 wedding in Mumbai.

At 31, Anant has responsibility for renewable energy initiatives on the Reliance Group’s executive board. He is also the founder of Vantara, a large privately operated animal facility in Gujarat, close to the family’s oil-refining operations.

The site covers approximately 3,500 acres and is reported to house more than 150,000 animals. Its collection includes hundreds of large predators and reptiles, including around 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles.

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Vantara also featured prominently during Anant’s pre-wedding celebrations in 2024, which attracted an international guest list of celebrities, business figures, and politicians, which included Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, Tony Blair, Boris Johnson, and Hillary Clinton.

The appointment has prompted questions from conservationists about the university’s decision to recognise Anant’s environmental work alongside his links to one of India’s largest fossil-fuel businesses.

In a statement published by The Guardian, Lyla Mehta, professor and head of the climate, environment and sustainability department at the University of Sussex’s Institute of Development Studies, raised objections that “as public funding for universities falls, there is a real danger that billionaire and corporate money begins to shape academia.

“Universities are supposed to be places that question power and hold corporations to account, not give them academic legitimacy.”

A Newcastle University spokesperson said: “The appointment recognises relevant professional experience. It is not an academic qualification and has no role in determining our academic direction. The decision was agreed by the University’s Executive Board following due diligence, including a visit by relevant academic representatives to Vantara. No donation has been received or promised in connection with the appointment.”

Featured image: Newcastle University

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