School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
Queen’s University
Queen’s Doctoral Internship in University Administration (QDIUA)
The Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) is pleased to announce that the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs at Queen’s University is the recipient of the 2026 CAGS Award for Excellence and Innovation in Enhancing the Graduate Student Experience. Queen’s received the award in recognition of its Doctoral Internship in University Administration (QDIUA), an innovative program that provides doctoral students with paid, structured internships within university administrative units while equipping them with professional skills, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities that complement their academic training.
The Queen’s Doctoral Internship in University Administration addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing doctoral students: preparing them for an increasingly diverse labour market both within and beyond acadmia. As the first program of its kind in Canada, the QDIUA reimagines on-campus employment into a structured experiential learning opportunity by combining meaningful project work, dedicated mentorship, and guided reflection. The program enables doctoral students to apply the advanced skills developed through their research in professional settings, while gaining valuable experience in university administration. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has supported 54 doctoral students across 17 administrative units, with demand consistently exceeding the number of available placements.
Quote from Student Participant : “One of the most valuable aspects of QDIUA was the mentorship within my host unit. Working closely with researchers and staff allowed me to better understand how universities function beyond academic research and teaching, particularly in areas such as outreach, knowledge mobilization, and institutional communication.”
Host Unit Participant (Human Resources) : “Internships like QDIUA play a critical role in preparing PhD students for a wide range of professional trajectories. They help bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice, equipping students with transferable skills that are highly valuable both within and beyond academia.”
In selecting this year’s recipient, the adjudication committee recognized the program’s broad impact on both students and institutions. The QDIUA strengthens career readiness, expands professional networks, and provides paid employment that helps alleviate financial barriers while creating meaningful opportunities for international students to gain Canadian work experience. At the same time, the program enables university administrative units to benefit from the expertise of doctoral students while advancing their own institutional priorities. The QDIUA program’s thoughtful design and strong evidence of success make it a highly transferable model that can be adapted by graduate schools across Canada.
“Graduate education is evolving, and universities must prepare students for diverse career paths. CAGS’s recognition highlights Queen’s commitment to equipping doctoral students for success beyond academia. The QDIUA strengthens graduate education by enabling students to apply their research skills in meaningful professional contexts while deepening their understanding of the university’s roles in teaching, research, and service. By uniting graduate students, faculty, and leaders around mentorship and development, the program fosters lasting benefits for both students and the institution. We are proud of its impact and grateful to the campus partners whose collaboration has made it possible.” Dr. Fahim Quadir, Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, Queen’s University
The CAGS Award for Excellence and Innovation in Enhancing the Graduate Student Experience is presented annually by CAGS to a member institution. Its purpose is to encourage, recognize, and reward administrative or programmatic excellence and innovation in enhancing the experience of graduate students from recruitment through degree completion. The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs will receive a certificate of achievement, and an invitation to showcase their support programs in a workshop at the 65th Annual CAGS Conference in Moncton, 2027.
