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Mitchell Hall
A QUIC lunch
Students enjoying lunch in the new Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) at Mitchell Hall.
New Queen's University International Centre at Mitchell Hall holding open house with refreshments and networking.
After more than 50 years of operation in the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC), the Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) has moved to its new home in Mitchell Hall. To celebrate, QUIC is hosting an open house from Jan. 16-18, welcoming the Queen's community to explore the new spaces and services on offer.
"Queen's is currently home to approximately 3,500 international students, so it's really exciting to unveil a fresh, new space that they can use and enjoy while settling into their new lives in Canada," says Amanda Gray, QUIC's newest International Student Advisor. "Since our soft opening in late December, both international and domestic students have been studying here, having team meetings, enjoying lunch, and making new friends. We're excited to welcome even more students and staff during our open house."
Located on the second level of Mitchell Hall, the new facility has a comfortable lounge for students to study or relax, a workshop room – the Ed Churchill Hall of Friendship – and a beautiful view of campus with lots of sunlight. There is also a kitchen and a ping-pong table.
"Not only is the new QUIC facility a great place for students to meet, work, and relax – it is also a place for international members of the Queen's community to connect with programs designed to support them academically and socially," says Arthur Chen, QUIC International Student Advisor. "We have a team of professional staff that is here to offer confidential advising and services on a range of topics, including immigration, health coverage, intercultural communications, English conversation, peer support, and more."
To kick off the open house activities, QUIC will be offering a free lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All students and staff are welcome to visit, network, see the new spaces, and learn more about the services available. It will also be an opportunity to meet the centre's new director, Sultan Almajil, who started in the role in early January.
"I am very excited to be here at Queen's and look forward to meeting and assisting students from both here and abroad," says Mr. Almajil. "As I was once a new international student to Canada myself, I know the flood of emotions that can go along with such a move. I also know how centres like QUIC can play a pivotal role in meeting people, honing your studies, and connecting with the community. I urge anyone from the Queen's community to get involved with us, and come enjoy our new Mitchell Hall space."
Mr. Almajil joins Queen's from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), where he served as the school's International Centre Supervisor since 2016. Before earning a Master's degree with a concentration in organizational change and culture at Royal Roads, he came to Canada as an international student to study at Thompson Rivers University.
Earlier this year, QUIC, in partnership with Student Academic Success Services, introduced new programming and resources, with the establishment of a new Intercultural Academic Support Coordinator position. For more information on QUIC and the programs and services they provide, visit the website.
Located at the corner of Union and Division streets on the former site of the Physical Education Centre, Mitchell Hall was made possible through over $50 million in philanthropic support. The federal and Ontario governments also contributed $22 million to the project.
Learn more about Mitchell Hall and all of its current and future tenants, on the website. The building's formal opening ceremonies will be held on March 30.
← Ignition Week to celebrate new innovation space at Mitchell Hall
What's Open Now
Queen's University International Centre (QUIC)
Student Community Relations
Faith and Spiritual Life
Photos of the IWC
The Mitchell Hall name will appear over the eastern entrance.
The gym floors from the three gyms which resided within the Physical Education Centre (PEC) are being repurposed as a third-floor feature wall.
The eastern entrance of Mitchell Hall.
Work continued outside throughout the summer, with landscaping, paving, and other finishing touches.
Mitchell Hall on a snowy November night.
Repointing work is underway to touch up the limestone façade.
The eastern side of the building, where glass meets metal and metal meets heritage limestone.
Once the building is enclosed, the focus turns indoors.
Heavy pre-cast concrete panels are lifted into place on the north side.
Workers are tearing out stone which has sat in these window frames since 1970.
A worker passes by the front façade of Mitchell Hall.
Workers plan out the day's activities.
There will be a staircase here once construction is complete - located just steps from the Union Street entrance.
This area will form a major intersection for the campus community.
A worker maneuvers heavy duty structural steel into place, connecting the old with the new.
A worker carries a sledgehammer and a fire extinguisher through the construction site.
Ignition Week to celebrate new innovation space at Mitchell Hall
More to explore at newly-opened Mitchell Hall
Mitchell Hall ready to open its doors
Putting the final touches on Mitchell Hall