Monday, March 7 2005 12:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: The American State of Florida has appointed an Indian-American physician based in St Petersburg to the powerful Board of Governors, which oversees working of universities and other educational institutions.

Akshay M Desai was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush, also the brother of President George Bush. The doctor is one of six appointed to the apex body that sets policy and oversees the management of Florida State universities.

Prominent among the other appointees are J Stanley Marshall, well-known Florida educationist, and Bill McCollum, former Congressman and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India.

The appointed members will have to be confirmed by the State Senate, and will serve for staggered terms of seven years, during which they will "operate, regulate, control and be fully responsible for the management of the whole university system" that includes 10 universities with a combined budget of $ 4.2 billion.

The doctor, an active member of the Florida Republican Party and a formidable fund-raiser, was an alternate delegate to the party's 2004 national convention. He was an elected delegate to the party's 2000 convention and currently serves on the influential 'Committee of 100' of the State Republican Party.

Last year, in recognition of his abilities, both professional and political, President Bush had appointed Desai to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, thus giving him the rare distinction of being appointed to distinguished positions by both the Bush brothers.