Our story

Ashish Sharma and Lawrence Pratchett started Prospectus International with a focus on the significant opportunities in international education available in South Asian markets in transnational education, recruitment, international branch campuses and research. We see not only the enormous potential that South Asia offers but also the incredible impact that overseas partners can have on the economic and social development of the region.

Since we started, we are focussing on growing our business and our team but have remained true to our niche as a specialist international education strategy and operations firm.

Ashish Sharma

Ashish Sharma co-founded Prospectus International after almost 20 years of experience in International Education, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Government. Ashish’s experience spans strategy development, transnational education partnerships, market development, investment, industry partnerships, government relations, and market engagement. Between 2013-2024, Ashish was Executive Director – South Asia region at Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) where he lead strategy & planning and international business development activities of the region’s advisory practice; and was a member of the global practice leadership group. He led his team to deliver 150+ trade and investment deals worth $850 Mn+ including some global firsts for Australia. Between 2012-13, Ashish advised CEOs of two Australian businesses on integrating technology in healthcare delivery and on business turnaround strategy. Between 2005-10, Ashish rose through the ranks of Indian pharmaceutical companies, managing various functions from international business development to research & development and drug manufacturing, and delivered manufacturing contracts of $80 Mn+ from industrial buyers in Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa

Lawrence Pratchett (Dr.)

Lawrence Pratchett is co-founder of Prospectus International. Until july 2021 he was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students, Partnerships and International) at the University of Canberra, concluding 11 years in senior management at the University. Prior to joining Canberra, he was Professor of Local Democracy, Director of the Local Governance Research Unit and Head of the Department of Public Policy at De Montfort University, UK. With an H Index of 26 and more than 5000 citations his work has had an impact not only in academic circles but also on Governments as varied as local and national governments in both the UK and Australia, as well as European bodies such as the Council of Europe. His senior management experience at the University of Canberra includes seven years as the founding Dean of the Faculty of Business Government and Law and four years as PVC, where he led the University’s international strategy and its pivot towards India.