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Marie Bashir, the first female governor of New South Wales, visited the American University of Beirut on March 24, to discuss potential future academic alliances between Lebanon and Australia, and to experience firsthand her grandfather's alma mater. Although she was initially invited to Lebanon to be honored for her life's work by the municipality of Douma –her family's hometown– it was important to the Australian diplomat that she also make a stopover at AUB. Committed to advancements within education, Bashir came to AUB to discuss future student, faculty, and intellectual exchanges between Lebanese and Australian universities. She met with Maroun Kisirwani, dean of students, and later toured the campus with Provost Peter Heath and Associate Provost Waddah Nasr. "She loved the place," said Kisirwani. "She enjoyed her time tremendously." In addition, her visit to the campus involved a matter of personal historical importance to the governor. She wanted a glimpse at the university which not only her grandfather, but also great uncle and father attended. To honor Bashir and her family, Kisirwani presented the governor with an alumni catalogue that listed the names of her grandfather, Salim Bashir, and her great uncle, Assaad Bashir – both of whom received medical doctorates from AUB in the late 1880s. However, her father's name was not listed because, although he began his studies at AUB, he completed them in Australia. For Bashir's own academic pursuits, she traced the footsteps of several male relatives and also became a medical doctor. After receiving her degree from the University of Sydney, she later specialized in psychiatry with an emphasis on child and family mental health. Her distinguished career has included years as an academic, administrator, and public servant. In March 2001, she was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the 37th governor –and first female governor– of New South Wales. As such, she represents the state in diplomatic and, as her time in Lebanon demonstrates, in international settings. The governor was also honored on March 23 at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut for her efforts and lifetime achievements within academia, medicine, and public administration. Her most recent efforts concern the promotion of quality education, health care, elderly care, and art and cultural events locally and abroad.
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