Newcastle University criticised over professorship for Anant Ambani
Newcastle University in Britain has faced criticism after awarding Anant Ambani a sustainability professorship, according to the South China Morning Post. The criticism comes amid scrutiny of Vantara, a wildlife centre he owns, which recently announced changes to its procedures following concerns about animal acquisitions.
Britain’s Newcastle University has faced criticism over its decision to award a sustainability professorship to Anant Ambani, the South China Morning Post reports. Ambani is identified in the supplied material as the son of Asia’s richest man and the owner of Vantara, a large wildlife centre in India. The university’s decision has drawn attention because of concerns surrounding the centre.
Vantara describes itself as the world’s largest rescue centre. The report says it announced a major change to its procedures last month, after concerns about its rapid and extensive acquisition of animals from different parts of the world, including endangered species. The supplied material does not specify who criticised the university, what form the criticism took or the exact title and duties attached to the professorship.
It also does not detail the concerns raised about individual animals or acquisitions. Newcastle University said on September 14 that it had awarded the professorship, according to the incomplete source material. The report as supplied ends before giving the university’s full explanation or Ambani’s response to the criticism.
The available account therefore establishes the link between the professorship and the controversy surrounding Vantara, but does not provide further information about the appointment’s terms or any review by the university.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.