# Newcastle University faces backlash for appointing Anant Ambani as sustainability professor 2026-09-24T22:32:22+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets Newcastle University has appointed Anant Ambani, the 31-year-old son of India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, as a Professor of Practice in Sustainability. The Guardian reports that conservationists and academics have criticised the decision, citing concerns about Ambani's links to the fossil fuel industry and Vantara, his 1,400-hectare private zoo in Gujarat which has faced allegations of animal trafficking. The university said the appointment recognises Ambani's work in conservation and biodiversity. The Hindu notes that Vantara, which calls itself the world's largest rescue centre, recently announced a reset of its procedures after concerns about its acquisition of animals including endangered species. A Supreme Court-appointed probe cleared Vantara of wrongdoing, but a subsequent CITES fact-finding mission reported that some import permits were probably forged. Lyla Mehta of the Institute of Development Studies said universities should not give corporate interests academic legitimacy. The university union at Newcastle has objected to the appointment. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The Guardian's coverage foregrounds the fossil fuel link and donations to the BJP, framing the appointment as a clash between corporate power and academic integrity. The Hindu and Siasat report the same facts neutrally but give equal space to Vantara's reset and the Supreme Court clearance, producing a less critical tone. The CITES finding of forged permits is the most concrete allegation in the story, but none of the sources independently verify it. The university's due diligence process remains unexamined. Newcastle's governing body will face scrutiny at the next faculty senate meeting. ## Coverage - theguardian.com (government critical) Leads with backlash, foregrounds Guha and conservationists' criticism, details Ambani's oil links and BJP donations - thehindu.com (neutral report) Straight news reporting, quotes both sides but no evaluative language, notes Vantara's reset and CITES concerns - siasat.com (neutral report) Reports controversy without editorialising, includes Guha's criticism and Mehta's comment, mentions CITES and Supreme Court findings Tags: Anant Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, Newcastle University, Reliance Industries, Vantara Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/newcastle-university-appoints-anant-ambani-sustainability-professor/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/newcastle-university-appoints-anant-ambani-sustainability-professor/#story-in-brief