Indian oil and gas heir made professor of sustainability at Newcastle University

Incredulity over role for Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest person, who also runs a controversial mega-zoo

Newcastle University is facing a backlash from conservationists over the appointment of the heir to an Indian oil and gas fortune who runs a controversial mega-zoo as a professor of sustainability.

The university announced that Anant Ambani had been given a professorship of practice for “his work in conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship” and “significant contributions to advancing a more sustainable future”.