Newcastle University faces backlash for appointing Anant Ambani as sustainability professor

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.