27/09/2026
Newcastle University is facing criticism from conservationists, environmentalists and academics following its appointment of Anant Ambani, heir to an Indian oil and gas fortune and founder of a controversial private zoo, as a professor of sustainability.
The university announced that Ambani had been awarded a professorship of practice in recognition of his work in conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare and environmental stewardship, as well as his contributions to advancing a more sustainable future.
Ambani, 31, is the son of Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man, whose business empire, Reliance Industries, has significant interests in oil and gas and operates the world's largest oil refinery. Mukesh Ambani has close ties to India's ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), whose policies he has publicly praised. Companies linked to Reliance have also made substantial donations to the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Anant Ambani's lavish wedding in Mumbai in 2024.
Anant Ambani serves on Reliance Group's executive board, where he oversees renewable energy initiatives. He is also the founder of Vantara, a 1,400-hectare private zoo and animal rescue centre in Gujarat, near the family's oil refining facilities.
Vantara reportedly houses more than 150,000 animals, including 200 lions, 250 leopards and 900 crocodiles. The facility also hosted Ambani's extravagant pre-wedding celebrations, which attracted celebrities and political figures.
Conservation organisations have previously questioned how some animals, including endangered species, were acquired by the facility. However, Vantara has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.
The university's announcement prompted criticism from academics and conservationists in India and internationally, with some questioning Ambani's qualifications and the decision-making process behind the appointment.
Ramachandra Guha, a prominent Indian public intellectual and author of Speaking With Nature: The Origins of Indian Environmentalism, questioned whether the appointment was justified.
Guha said there were potentially dozens of people with stronger credentials in environmental science and conservation, including soil scientists, energy researchers, water conservation specialists, community forest workers and ecologists.
He also questioned whether the university had conducted sufficient due diligence before making the appointment, warning that the decision could damage its institutional credibility and academic standing.
Bhuvan Mangalore, an investigator specialising in illegal wildlife trade who is completing a dissertation on Vantara at Anglia Ruskin University, expressed disbelief at the announcement.
Matt Perry, chair of the University and College Union branch at Newcastle University, said staff members had raised environmental concerns about the appointment.
Lyla Mehta, head of the climate, environment and sustainability department at the University of Suss*x's Institute of Development Studies, warned that declining public funding for universities could leave them increasingly dependent on wealthy individuals and corporations.
Mehta argued that universities should scrutinise powerful institutions and hold corporations accountable rather than confer academic legitimacy on them.
The appointment has also renewed debate about the relationship between fossil fuel wealth, environmental sustainability and academic independence.
Mukesh Ambani built much of his fortune through the oil and gas industry, while his son has taken on a prominent role in the group's renewable energy activities.
In April, Anant Ambani launched Vantara University, which is described as the world's first global university dedicated to wildlife conservation and veterinary science.
Lorne Stockman, research co-director at Oil Change International, said universities should do more to address the climate crisis and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
He argued that publicly funded institutions should be held to high standards at a time when the transition away from oil and gas has become increasingly urgent.
A Newcastle University spokesperson said the professorship recognised Ambani's contributions to conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
However, critics continue to question whether his record justifies the appointment and whether the university adequately considered the environmental and ethical concerns surrounding Vantara and the wider Reliance business empire.
The controversy has highlighted broader questions about the role of private wealth in higher education, the credibility of sustainability credentials and the responsibilities of universities when conferring academic recognition on influential business figures.
These 12 SAT style questions test reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, inference, author’s purpose and evidence-based reasoning.
1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
A. To explain how Vantara became India's largest wildlife sanctuary.
B. To describe the controversy surrounding Anant Ambani's appointment and the concerns it has raised.
C. To argue that renewable energy should replace oil and gas immediately.
D. To compare the academic systems of Indian and British universities.
2. According to the passage, what was the stated reason for awarding Ambani the professorship?
A. His family's financial contributions to Newcastle University.
B. His leadership in India's political system.
C. His work in conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship.
D. His academic research on climate change.
3. The passage indicates that critics primarily questioned the appointment because they believed it:
A. Would prevent Newcastle University from conducting research in India.
B. Was inconsistent with the university's academic standards and sustainability commitments.
C. Would lead to the closure of Vantara.
D. Was opposed by the Indian government.
4. As used in the passage, the word 'credibility' most nearly means:
A. Financial stability.
B. Public trustworthiness.
C. Political influence.
D. Scientific innovation.
5. Which statement best describes Ramachandra Guha's reaction to the appointment?
A. He praised the university for recognising a new generation of conservationists.
B. He argued that Ambani's business experience made him uniquely qualified.
C. He questioned the choice and suggested that many other individuals were more qualified.
D. He expressed concern that the appointment would reduce funding for wildlife research.
6. What can reasonably be inferred from Lyla Mehta's comments?
A. Universities should avoid all private donations.
B. Financial dependence on wealthy donors may affect universities' ability to maintain independence.
C. Corporate funding has already eliminated academic independence in Britain.
D. Public funding is no longer necessary for higher education.
7. Why does the passage mention Narendra Modi's attendance at Ambani's wedding?
A. To establish a connection between the Ambani family and India's political leadership.
B. To explain why Newcastle University selected Ambani.
C. To demonstrate that Modi supports wildlife conservation.
D. To suggest that the wedding was organised by Vantara.
8. Which of the following best describes the role of the paragraph about Vantara?
A. It provides background on Ambani's conservation activities while introducing concerns about the facility.
B. It proves that Vantara violated wildlife protection laws.
C. It explains why Newcastle University established a campus in Gujarat.
D. It demonstrates that all private zoos are harmful to wildlife.
9. What does the passage suggest about the relationship between fossil fuel wealth and sustainability?
A. The two are necessarily incompatible in every circumstance.
B. A person's involvement in renewable energy automatically establishes their environmental credentials.
C. The relationship can raise questions about whether sustainability claims align with broader business activities.
D. Fossil fuel companies have no role in environmental research.
10. Which statement is supported by the passage regarding Vantara?
A. It has been convicted of illegally acquiring endangered animals.
B. It houses more than 150,000 animals, according to reports.
C. It is operated by Newcastle University.
D. It was established by India's prime minister.
11. Which piece of evidence most directly supports the concern that corporate wealth may influence academic institutions?
A. Vantara reportedly houses hundreds of lions and leopards.
B. Modi attended Ambani's wedding in 2024.
C. Mehta's warning that declining public funding could increase the influence of billionaires and corporations.
D. Ambani serves on Reliance Group's executive board.
12. Which statement best captures the central tension presented in the passage?
A. The conflict between wildlife conservation and veterinary education.
B. The tension between recognising conservation work and concerns about corporate influence, environmental accountability, and academic credibility.
C. The disagreement between Indian and British environmental laws.
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑒𝑦, 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑙 𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑠 𝑎 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑏𝑜𝑥.
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