Helpful Resources

centre for writing and communication (cwc)

Location: 3rd floor of the Admin Block

Description: The Centre for Writing and Communication (CWC) works closely with the academic community in Ashoka to develop critical thinking, writing and communication skills. It was established in 2014 to create a space for discussions on writing and academic research. Since then it has been catering to the burgeoning demand in academic spaces for dedicated intervention in and engagement with academic writing, communication and critical thinking. It is one of the largest centres in Ashoka University and contributes towards interdisciplinary interactions between students, faculty and staff members to strengthen Ashoka’s ethos for innovative and interactive curriculum as well as pedagogy.

The one-on-one tutoring sessions provided by the CWC are crucial to providing individualised feedback to students through all stages of their academic writing—from brainstorming ideas, to logically developing arguments and finally revising their work. These are open to students across disciplines and levels of study. In the academic year 2019-20, CWC conducted 1101 hours of one-on-one sessions (till Dec 2019).

Book here.

The course-specific workshops designed and conducted by the CWC address the most fundamental aspects of critical thinking required for writing and communication. For Introduction to Critical Thinking courses, CWC’s workshops are built into the curriculum and are mandatory. For other courses, they are optional and need based.

CWC provides year-long English language support to students. Starting with an Academic Bridge Programme conducted for incoming students in the summer, the support extends to English Communication and Intermediate English Communication courses in the Monsoon and Spring semesters respectively. These are credited-courses.

Besides course-specific activities, the CWC organizes a broad range of creative and research activities that address a variety of skills under the umbrella of writing and communication. These events innovatively draw upon and analyse a diverse range of activities and media which are part of our daily lives: news, email, music, internet, media, board games, photographs, food, and jokes, to name a few. These are open to the public and follow a participatory format. Our creative programmes are designed and executed by the CWC team members and invited experts including activists, writers, performers, journalists, translators and scholars.

Office of learning support

The Office of Learning Support (OLS) at Ashoka University was set up in 2016 to support students with Learning Disabilities. Over the last few years, it has supported students with visual impairment, hearing impairment, Autism, Attention Deficits, Cerebral Palsy along with various specific learning disabilities. The office acts as a central resource centre on specific-needs-related information and services for the University and also promotes a collaborative approach to implement inclusive practices at Ashoka.


Support Services for Students with Disabilities

The office is geared to support learning difficulties due to dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and ADD/ADHD, high functioning autism as well as difficulties related to blindness, deafness, and mobility. It strives to integrate students with disabilities as holistically as possible into the University experience. Through an interactive process, the office works individually with each student to provide access to University classes, programs, and activities.

It should be noted that the mere disclosure/diagnosis of a disability does not automatically entitle a student to receive disability-related accommodations. Each student needs to request learning support for their specific condition and the office will make its best efforts to extend as much support the student qualifies for. There is no financial impact on students for receiving the required learning support.


Academic Accommodations

The OLS provides a structured framework for students who seek accommodations (academic adjustments) and remedial support for specific learning challenges. Accommodations are set on a case-by-case basis, individualized to each student and their current needs. These are adaptations to teaching and learning processes that allow a student to manage the learning difficulties faced by them due to a diagnosed disability. Accommodations may include modifications to academic requirements as necessary to minimize the impact of the disability. Remedial support is an instructional program to help students achieve expected competencies in core academic skills such as literacy and numeracy.

Following are some examples of accommodations and modifications:

  • Curriculum Modifications

  • Attendance Modifications

  • Extension in Assignment Submission

  • Priority Registration

  • Examination-related Support

  • Note-takers and Scribes

  • Lecture Recording

  • Preferential Seating

  • Auxiliary Aids

NOTE: Students are requested to check with the office for policies related to the above-mentioned accommodations.


Support Services for all Students- with or without disabilities

The OLS offers all Ashoka students a variety of general academic support services that are designed to help them maximize their academic success. These support services include:

  • Time Management Skills & Planning

  • Effective Academic Learning Strategies

  • General Academic Concerns

  • Overall Executive Functioning Skills, including self-management and metacognition

  • Access to State-of-the-art Assistive Technology

  • Mentoring and Self-Advocacy Skills

  • Assessment Services including Curriculum Needs-based Assessment and Screening for any Disability

NOTE: The OLS does not provide academic accommodations to students with no documented disability.


How to book appointments:

Students not registered or new to the office can choose one of the following options:

a. Book an appointment via the AMS Portal. Here are the steps to book an appointment with OLS:

  • Login to AMS, navigate to the OLS tab.

  • Fill the Student Support Request Form (SSRF). Please note that this form is completely confidential.

  • Click on Book an Appointment and check the available slots.

  • For online meetings - Once you book an appointment, a meeting link will be sent out closer to the date of the appointment.

b. Write to the office for an appointment.

Students already registered with the office can choose any of the following options:

a. Book an appointment on the AMS. There is no need to fill the SSRF.

  • For online meetings - Once you book an appointment, a meeting link will be sent out closer to the date of the appointment.

b. Write to the office for an appointment.