Please note that all program and admission-related inquiries are managed exclusively via email. To ensure your inquiry is addressed, please contact immigrationdiploma@queensu.ca or review our FAQ section. Our program’s unstaffed phone number is (613) 533-6937. No live phone calls are accepted via this phone number and an automated message provides general information and our email address for any inquiries. Click here to
Dear GDipICL graduates,
Congratulations on completing the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law program, and reaching this significant milestone in your academic journey! This achievement carries special significance for Queen’s University, as you represent the initial cohort of trailblazers to complete this new program.
You have risen to the challenge during a unique moment in history. Despite the uncertainty of the global health crisis, you have invested in your education and future growth, and demonstrated the power of perseverance and dedication.
As the next generation of immigration practitioners, policymakers, and leaders, you will play a vital role in enhancing Canada’s economic growth and social vibrancy, supporting our human rights and family reunification priorities, and ensuring shared access to prosperity.
You are joining the proud tradition of Queen’s graduates and alum who are the long-term stewards of the ideals of this institution, its principles, and its commitment to advancing public and community service.
Below you will find a message from Dean Mark Walters and our senior program administrators, congratulatory messages from faculty, staff, students, and more.
We encourage you to share this content with your friends and family as we celebrate YOU and give you the recognition and appreciation that you deserve.
Congratulations!
Laura Salsbury-Norman, Instructor
Cristie Tayde, Instructor
Nadia Hachem, Graduate
Bianca Trigiani on behalf of the Zoom Agents
Peter Veress, Instructor
Tahseen Chowdhury, Graduate
Rhonda Williams, Instructor
Harini Sivalingam, Instructor
Lyn Gaudet, Instructor
Ana Rasmusson, Instructor
Being the first cohort of the GDipICL program, I am grateful for my peer’s companionship. We have less than a hundred people, so I felt we are a small cozy group cheering up each other every day. I have made lots of new friends and potential future co-workers.
Finishing the GDipICL program in two terms is a noteworthy achievement. Sometimes it feels like a survival, but we did it! Huge congratulations to all of us. I look forward to working with you in the future.
Cheung Ying Alan Choy, Graduate
It’s an honor to share in such an important event. Warmest congratulations on your graduation, GDipICL inaugural cohort! You well deserve the success! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors! Whatever you do and wherever you go, never stop learning and challenging yourself to be your best, and please remember that you will always have the love and support from your instructors and the program!
Ivy Li, Instructor
Kim K.C. Ly, Instructor
Don Ames, Manager, Admissions and Recruitment
Pauline Pui Ying Tan, Graduate
Kyle Broda, Instructor
Nora Ephron Quote: “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.”
Jan Edward, Program Coordinator
You made it, graduates! Congratulations on reaching this academic milestone. You have worked hard, and your dedication and perseverance have paid off. Take a moment and give yourselves the credit that you deserve for your achievement. May exciting opportunities come your way, and may you be successful in all your endeavors. We are all proud of you. Cheers!
Christina Asperilla, Marketing Coordinator
Many, many, many congratulations to the GDipICL program on its first birthday!
Many, many, many congratulations to the graduating cohort, the first ever of the GDipICL program at Queens University!!
For all of us here at Queens University – the students, the management, and the faculty alike – February 2022 is a month of great achievements and celebrations. The profession of immigration consulting has evolved and so have the qualifications. This is a proud moment for all of us to revel and reflect.
To the first graduating cohort - Congratulations! Great work! I’m so happy for you and proud of your achievements. I am glad to have been a part of your journey. I wish you all the very best and look forward to you all making a big difference to the immigration industry, the community and the country. MY BEST WISHES TO ALL OF YOU!!
To the GDipICL program team: KUDOS TO YOU FOR BEING FANTASTIC! You all are just amazing. How you care for the program manifesto, every single student, and the faculty, is outstanding.
Rupali Gulati, Instructor
You should be celebrating the dedication you’ve shown on the way to this academic achievement. You’ve earned every bit of the success you’re enjoying. Yet, keep in mind the following quote:
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” -Albert Schweitzer
Passion, the spice of life
As law touches every aspect of life, practicing Canadian immigration, refugee and citizenship law is truly a rewarding experience. With time you will excel in all four pillars of legal work:
1. Interviewing,
2. Researching,
3. Writing, and
4. Advising.
Now, is the most opportune moment to look for a good employer who is willing to train you. In the meantime, you should stay in touch with your peers via CAPIC or PeerHelp to prepare for your EPE.
Congratulations and all the best in your future endeavours!
Professor Katharina Kontaxis, ICL 810 - Foundations
On this, our graduation day, I wish my fellow graduates my sincerest appreciation for their moral support when courses were intense, compassion to share words of encouragement when it seemed impossible to continue, and motivation to rally me to overcome my feelings of despair. We the F21 cohort accomplished a milestone by being the GDipICL inaugural cohort who shared a unique virtual journey by creating a real community of peers from around our country and the world. Thank you to our professors and fearless leader Professor Aiken for supporting our journey. Congratulations Class of 2022!!!
Michelle Sahni, Graduate
A big congratulations to all of us for completing the course successfully! It was great to be a part of this cohort. I feel we completed this course as a team. I would like to thank all our professors and instructors who helped us understand various concepts in Immigration Law.
My greatest takeaway from this course has been the ability to quickly find relevant information regarding immigration law. This course has given us the tools to expand our knowledge and develop expertise in this constantly evolving area of law.
Mathai George Nooranal, Graduate
Congratulations everyone! It was a pleasure to have met all of you and I’m so grateful for the amazing friends that I have met while on this journey. I wish everyone the best of luck with their future endeavours!
Stefanie Cicanovski, Graduate
Congratulations to the graduates!
What a tremendous achievement!
I am honoured and proud to have been a part of your journey and wish each one of you the very best in your future endeavors.
The best is yet to come and I cannot wait to see what is in store for you! I wish you all continued success in your pursuit of excellence.
Rochelle Ivri, Instructor
Joe Kenney, Instructor
Binyam Yemane Tekle, Student
Karen Kwan Anderson, Instructor
Arian Sultafa, Instructor
Dear students,
I wish to congratulate you on being the first cohort of the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law program. It has been a long and remarkable journey and I want to wish you the very best in your future endeavours. Immigration is a continually growing industry, and I personally believe that there isn’t a better field to be in at this time. We are witnessing the industry’s survival during the global pandemic which presented challenges and also opportunities. This graduation marks an incredible milestone for us all, and I want to acknowledge that there is no better foundation for a career in Immigration and Citizenship than the one you have obtained here at Queen’s University Faculty of Law. I urge you to always remember your teaching, and use the experiences you heard about from your instructors to become even better and renown immigration professionals. In the field of Immigration, you will often need to reignite the networks and connections you made while in the program. At the end of it all, as much as we compete in this field we need each other. As the words of poet John Donne “No man is an island”.
Shontel Atkinson, Hons. BA, RCIC, Instructor
Congratulations to the inaugural class of 2022! Wishing you success as you continue to build on this foundation and develop your practice.
Mia Loebach-Readings, RCIC
"Hello everyone!
We did it!!!!
Despite the fact that it was an entirely new concept for us, we succeeded. I recall all of our hard work, commitment, and contributions to this diploma. Congratulations to everyone, and a special thank you to my support system—my husband, siblings, and parents—for always being there for me when I needed them, and also to my newborn—Mr. Azaad Singh Sandhu, who used to sleep so calmly in my lap when I used to study or take my online classes for this diploma.
This diploma has unquestionably made a significant difference in my life.
Amneet Kaur Sandhu, Graduate