Media Team
2 February 2021: The University of Canberra announced today that Pro Vice-Chancellor, Students, Partnerships and International, Professor Lawrence Pratchett will be stepping down from his role this June, after ten years of service at the University.
Professor Pratchett will be moving to Mumbai, India, in support of his partner, Professor Monica Kennedy (former Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, at Swinburne University) who will be commencing her appointment as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner at Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).
He will remain attached to the University in a professorial capacity.
Professor Pratchett will be rediscovering his roots, as his father and grandmother emigrated from India to England in 1948.
“I feel as if I am going to be going home to India, even though I have never lived there,” he said. “I have been learning Hindi for the last year, even before Monica and I even entertained the idea of living there.”
In addition to his personal connection, Professor Pratchett has also developed professional relationships in India through the University’s ongoing partnership with Chandigarh University, and the University’s strong international student cohort from India that has continued to grow during his tenure.
Professor Pratchett will build on these relationships for the benefit of the University of Canberra, creating opportunities to represent the University in India, and potentially the United Kingdom and Canada.
“While we are sad to see Lawrence leave his full-time role at UC, we are excited to engage him to create new opportunities for us internationally,” said Professor Paddy Nixon, University Vice-Chancellor and President.
“Having Lawrence maintain his connection to UC while overseas will ensure we can focus on a strong post-COVID international student recovery plan.”
“I have been in a leadership position for more ten years – for over a third of UC’s existence – and, in that time, I have seen it grow into something quite formidable,” said Professor Pratchett.
“So, while I am saying ‘alavida’ (Hindi for ‘goodbye’) for now, I will remain connected to the University that has been such a huge part of my life for the past decade.”
Professor Pratchett and Professor Kennedy will be taking a three-year posting to India, with plans to return to Canberra afterwards.
