Actor-DJ Dennis Chew earns poly diploma at 51, offered place at NUS
Local celebrity Dennis Chew has graduated from polytechic at the age of 51, and is looking forward to furthering his studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
On May 2, the Love 972 DJ, actor and host was among 198 full-time graduates from the School of Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) to receive their diplomas at the institution.
Dressed in a dark blue graduation gown and sporting a tie, he walked on stage to receive his diploma in Chinese media and communication from the school's director, Ms Sandra Toh, at 4.50pm.
His famous friends - local actors Marcus Chin and Mark Lee, who are also his co-hosts on Love 972's radio programme The Breakfast Quartet - also turned up to support him.
Chew was even namedropped by the event's guest-of-honour, Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, who is chairman of the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Council as well as group CEO of telco Singtel.
In his speech, Mr Yuen said Chew's story was an inspiration to many. "Although he already has a successful media career with Mediacorp, he saw the value of upskilling. With the support of his employer, and by sheer determination, he overcame challenges related to returning to school after a long gap."
Dennis Chew (right) receives his diploma in Chinese media and communication from Ms Sandra Toh, the director of Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Chew is the oldest full-time diploma student to graduate in 2025. During his three years at NP, he was awarded the Kongzi Culture Fund's Pei Hwa Foundation Scholarship and the Ministry of Education's Edusave Certificate of Academic Achievement for two consecutive years.
The Mediacorp artiste told The Straits Times after the ceremony that he has been offered a place in NUS' College of Humanities and Sciences, and hopes to pursue a bachelor's degree in Chinese studies come August once he sorts out his work commitments.
Local actors Marcus Chin (right) and Mark Lee (left, wearing spectacles) who are Chew's friends, attended the ceremony. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
"I have attended the Star Awards many times, but this is my first time attending a graduation ceremony and I was very moved," he said, referring to Mediacorp's annual television awards ceremony.
Before enrolling in 2022, he had hosted events on NP's campus. "But never did I think I would study, let alone graduate, from here."
Chew shared that as he waited to receive his diploma, his hands felt cold, and he teared when he saw his lecturers enter the venue. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Unfortunately, his father, who died in February, did not live to witness the proud moment.
Chew said: "Decades ago, when I did very poorly for my O levels and told him I did not want to study any more, he let out a very long sigh and walked to another room. I will never forget that sigh. So if he saw me today, I think he would feel very happy and comforted."
Calling his poly journey enriching, he added: "I realised that I am like a frog in a well. There were a lot of things I thought I knew, but I did not. Even now, there is still a lot more to learn."
Being around his batchmates, who are mostly in their late teens and early 20s, has also taught him lessons.
"When I am with young people, I see their innocence, and it changes me. From them, I learn not to be so fussy about some things. So although I came to study, I also learnt how to live better and be a better person."
Chew shared that he has been offered a place in the National University of Singapore's College of Humanities and Sciences, and intends to start his university studies if all goes well. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Fully aware that they have officially parted ways, he admitted he will miss them dearly.
"We have spent almost every day together for the last three years. But now, some of them will be serving the army, and others will be travelling. We will have less time to interact, and I will feel a sense of emptiness without them."
He added: "In my life, there have only been two periods which I thoroughly enjoyed - my national service days and my poly days."
Chew also hopes to encourage anyone wanting to further their education to take the leap, no matter their age or stage in life. "As long as you can take the first step, you will realise that it is not as difficult as you imagined."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
17 hours ago
- AsiaOne
'A source of love, joy and kindness': Mediacorp baking show contestant dies aged 35, husband pays tribute, Entertainment News
Michelle Goh, the owner of 2112 Bakery at Bugis, has died at the age of 35 on June 17. The mother-of-two had joined season 2 of Mediacorp baking show 'Creme De La Creme' in 2024, and was placed sixth out of eight contestants on the show. Her husband, who only gave his name as Ken, announced her death in a post on the bakery's social media accounts on the same day. "It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that I share the passing of my beloved wife, Michelle Goh, who left us on June 17, 2025," he wrote. "She was a source of love, joy and kindness, and her memory will forever remain in our hearts. While words cannot express the pain of this loss, we find comfort in remembering the beautiful life she lived and the love she shared with all who knew her." He added in his post that she would be cremated at Mandari Crematorium Hall today (June 21). Michelle's cause of death is unknown and she leaves behind her husband and two young children. Michelle shared that she started her business as a home-based bakery in 2019, after leaving her job as a nail technician, reported 8days. At the time, she was diagnosed with depression and found comfort in baking. She later opened a bakery in Toa Payoh, and subsequently relocated to OG Bugis in December 2024 due to poor business. She also has a rojak and popiah stall at Yew Tee Square, and a snack stall at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, which is operated by her mother. It is currently unclear if the businesses will continue to operate. Despite participating in Mediacorp's baking competition show, the exposure did not result in more sales for her bakery and she lost $19,000 from her Toa Payoh bakery, she told 8days. She added that her husband had asked then if she wanted to shutter the business, but she "didn't want to waste [her] efforts" and needed time. In December 2024, Michelle posted a TikTok and Instagram Reel and spoke about her struggles in operating a business. She said tearfully in the Reel: "To be honest, having a business is serving us right, because we could have just gone out and work. But [operating a business] is all about our commitment, passion and being proud of ourselves and making my parents and my kids proud." She added: "I feel good whenever I leave the shop at night. I kept smiling to myself knowing that this is how far [I had come]. But there is too much stress going on." @ Not negative but just real feeling. ♬ original sound - 2112 Bakery [[nid:718794]] Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928 Shan You Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 6741-0078 Fei Yue's Online Counselling Service: Tinkle Friend (for primary school children): 1800-2744-788
AsiaOne
a day ago
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: Odette remains Singapore's only restaurant in World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025 — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Odette remains Singapore's only restaurant in World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025 The results of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 are out and once again, only one establishment from Singapore made the list... » READ MORE 2. Elderly man left bloodied after concrete from toilet ceiling collapses on him in Yishun home An elderly man was struck by falling spalling concrete from the ceiling of his toilet in his Yishun HDB flat... » READ MORE 3. No joke: Tableware used by Dylan Wang in China noodle shop framed up by owner Chinese heartthrob Dylan Wang has been capturing the hearts of fans worldwide, but now he has captured their appetite as well... » READ MORE 4. Malaysian dad in tears after 11 children pool together to buy him new SUV A Malaysian father was moved to tears after his 11 children surprised him with a brand new car... » READ MORE editor@
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- AsiaOne
Not nominated for Star Awards' Best Audio Personality but Dennis Chew says The Breakfast Quartet 'should be confident of ourselves'
They've won Best Radio Programme for four years consecutively, but the four DJs in local radio station Love 972's The Breakfast Quartet were surprisingly left out of the Best Audio Personality nominations in Star Awards 2025. Two of the DJs, Dennis Chew and Mark Lee, told AsiaOne in a recent interview that it's not something they worry about. The other two DJs in the team are Marcus Chin and Chen Biyu. Mark, 56, shared: "I feel that the main reason for us not being nominated is because the judges have different preferences for the styles that each DJ presents. "It could be a coincidence that this year's judges are a little 'stricter', so 'innocent and cute' DJs like us are not nominated. But it's okay, because the judges are different every year." Dennis, 51, said: "I feel that it doesn't matter whether we are nominated or not. Most importantly, we should be confident of ourselves, just like how the four of us feel that we are good enough and that's sufficient." The nominees this year are Yes 933 DJs Chen Ning, Hazelle Teo, Kenneth Chung and Zhu Zeliang as well as Capital 958 DJ Pan Jia Biao. In response to queries from AsiaOne, a Mediacorp spokesperson said that as with all Star Awards' programme and performance awards, the nominees for Best Audio Personality are determined by a panel consisting of industry veterans and established media practitioners who would evaluate everyone who is eligible with a standard set of criteria. They added: "Given how competitive this award is, not being nominated in any given year does not necessarily take away from the calibre of their work nor their popularity. "The Breakfast Quartet remains a contender in the Best Radio Programme category, testament to the enduring excellence the show continues to deliver daily." The quartet won the above category for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024. This year, Dennis' programme Mr Zhou's Ghost Stories is also in the running. On whether they feel pressured to continue winning the award this year, both of them said the achievement doesn't affect their emotions. Dennis shared: "To be honest, we didn't expect to go on stage to receive the award. It's a surprise to us every year. So whether or not there is any surprise this year, we would feel the same way." "If we can receive it for another year, it's the best, but even if we didn't get it this year, it's okay also. Most importantly, it's whether the judges like it or not, because the judges are different every year. If we are awarded again this year, then 'Oh dear, we are the first again!'" Mark quipped. Both Mark and Dennis received their All-Time Favourite Artiste award in 2010 and 2022 respectively. The award is given to artistes who have won the Top 10 Most Popular Artiste honour 10 times. When asked which artistes they wish to see joining them at the 'altar', Dennis shared that he hopes actor-host Guo Liang — who has been in local showbiz for three decades — would bag the award soon, because he "truly deserves it". For Mark, it would be Marcus, 70, who debuted in local showbiz in the 1970s. He quipped: "I looked at his fortunes before and concluded he can live till about 95 years old, so if he receives his 10th Top 10 award before 90 and goes up the 'altar', I think it's not bad because he is really very hardworking." You can vote for the Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes from now till July 6, 7.30pm on the Mediacorp website. Voters can make up to 10 votes per account, per award category, per day. On July 6 from 12am to 7.30pm, voters can make unlimited votes for each category. Star Awards 2025 will be presented on July 6, starting from Backstage Live at 3.30pm to 10.30pm, Walk of Fame from 5pm to 6.30pm, the awards show from 7pm to 10pm and Post-Party from 10pm to 10.30pm. Backstage Live will air on Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel, while Walk of Fame and the awards show will air on Channel 8, Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel. [[nid:719280]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
