Noted Indian-American community leader Akshay Desai has been appointed as a member of the Florida Board of Education by Governor Charlie Crist.

The appointment comes as recognition of the progressively active role that the Indian community is playing in political arena as also Desai's expertise and experience in the field of education.

Though a medical doctor by profession, he has taken keen interest in field of education which, he attributes to his Indian background.

Desai, founder, chairman and CEO of Universal Health Care, a health insurance company, says, "My special interest in the field of education has to do with my Indian background. Not only Indian Americans are predisposed to academic excellence, but they see education as means of actualizing their potential -- and not just in material terms.

"That is why you see that even among rich business families, children pursue higher education even when they know they have to return to pick up their family business. That is kind of cultural value we place on education."    

Desai attributes the successes he achieved to the educational opportunities that were provided to him.

"I think anyone interested should be able to avail that opportunity. And it is our responsibility to, lets say, reach out and teach," he said.