A milestone for Professor Max Abbott: 20 years as Dean
Touted as ‘20 years of change, influence and controversy’, Professor Max Abbott recently celebrated two decades at the helm of AUT’s faculty of health and environmental sciences. In 1991, Max was appointed Dean of the faculty and under his tutelage it’s become the country’s largest and most diverse health and science education provider.
To celebrate, Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack recently hosted a special event marking Max’s 20 years as Dean.
“Max’s achievements are many. His work has positively influenced attitudes in the health sector and society at large. His pioneering research in mental and public health, and significant contributions in gambling, addictions and migrant health research have helped to shape policy and have positively impacted our communities.”
Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley, spoke of “being in the trenches” with Max in the 1990’s when she was then Minister of Health. She also paid tribute to his achievements, particularly his contribution in mental health. “Max spoke up when it wasn’t fashionable and he’s made a profound difference to the lives of those with mental disability and mental health disorders. His courage and leadership in standing up for them led to a number of terrific shifts, not only in public opinion, or in parliamentary opinion, but more profoundly in the eyes of people with mental health disorders – who can now hold their heads high. Max can be enormously proud of a very large legacy of change. He is a champion as a New Zealander.”
Prior to becoming Dean, Max was the founding national director of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. As past-president of the World Federation for Mental Health, he also co-founded the first World Mental Health Day.
Max has witnessed considerable transformation across AUT over 20 years, the most significant being the changing face and diversity of research.
“The research landscape has evolved rapidly and is being driven by established research leaders and a new generation of emerging researchers. Our numerous research institutes and centres are dedicated to advancing knowledge, raising further questions for investigation, generating new products and technologies and enhancing policy-making and professional practice. There is clear evidence our research is delivering results.”