Latest news with #DennisChew
CNA
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
Dennis Chew says he will stop working as a full-time DJ when he enrols at NUS next year
Two months ago, Love 972 DJ Dennis Chew shared that he was offered a spot to enrol at the National University of Singapore after graduating from Ngee Ann Poly with a diploma in Chinese Media & Communication. At that time, the 51-year-old said he was on the fence about starting university this year. Now that it's almost August, the time when universities start admitting students, Chew has decided to... defer his matriculation. In an interview with Chew shared that he's set to start school next year in August. Why the delay? Well, the busy bee just has too much unfinished work and has jobs lined up until December. Chew said he took on the gigs as he wasn't expecting to be accepted by NUS and that he would return to radio full-time after graduating from poly. Now, the soon-to-be Chinese Studies undergraduate plans to put his showbiz career aside once school starts. "If I go to university, I'll really give up on my full-time job temporarily and focus on school," he told over a WhatsApp voice message. He's making such a decision because he's someone who "can't multi-task" and also believes "university life will be very different [from poly]". How is he going to sustain financially though? The DJ said his "finances wouldn't be too affected" and that he could still take on jobs, such as endorsements, that are less time-consuming when school starts. "If I can make some pocket money, that'd be better," he said. He also thinks he wouldn't have to make that many changes to his lifestyle as he "isn't someone who splurges regularly anyway". "My money is all spent on food, buying toys, treating others to meals, and buying gifts for people," he chuckled. "Then I shall buy less gifts for others and less toys for myself. If I spend a little less on everything, then I can save a lot." The only thing Chew is unwilling to compromise on is going on holidays. "While I'm studying, I'll still go for vacations because the holidays are very long," he shared. Based on his experience in poly, Chew said schools don't give out homework during the term breaks which would allow him to thoroughly enjoy himself. "I love that kind of life. It's not like when you're working. Even when you go on leave, you have to worry about work. School is different, you don't know what you're going to study next anyway, so you can't prepare beforehand," said Chew.
CNA
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Radio DJ and actor Dennis Chew graduates from Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Mediacorp artiste Dennis Chew, 51, has graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP). He is the polytechnic's oldest full-time diploma student to graduate in 2025. The Love 972 radio DJ and Aunty Lucy actor received his Diploma in Chinese Media & Communication on May 2. His co-hosts on the station's The Breakfast Quartet show, Marcus Chin and Mark Lee, also attended the ceremony. Chew told local news publication The Straits Times after the ceremony that he has been offered a place in National University of Singapore's College of Humanities and Sciences. Chew returned to school at age 48 and during his three years at NP, while balancing his media career and studies, he was awarded The Kongzi Culture Fund's Pei Hwa Foundation Scholarship and MOE's Edusave Certificate of Academic Achievement for two consecutive years. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ngee Ann Polytechnic (@ngeeannpoly) Chew shared images of his milestones during his three-year course in a joint Instagram post with NP and NP's School of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies on May 5. These included moments like Chew's first day of school, his 50th birthday celebration with his classmates, his internship at Chinese restaurant Song Fa Bak Kut Teh, promoting his Final Year Project (FYP) on radio station Yes 933, his FYP film screening at Golden Village cinema, as well as his last lesson in school. The polytechnic wrote: 'Our beloved Dennis Chew has graduated!' The popular personality said in the caption, reflecting on his time at NP: 'Many times, especially at my age, I tend to unconsciously think that I know a lot. But after coming to study at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I realised that I am actually very fortunate – because it turns out I don't know as much as I thought I did. I truly need to continue learning in order to gain more knowledge and skills related to my work.' The school added: 'We're so glad that you enjoyed your time in NP, Dennis, and truly what a journey it's been! We'll be rooting for you as you embark on your next big adventure!' In another Instagram post by Chew on May 4, he documented his graduation ceremony, including taking pictures with his classmates and receiving his diploma. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dennis Chew （周崇庆） (@denniszhouchongqing)
The Star
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
SG actor Dennis Chew graduates from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, offered spot in NUS
Singaporean celebrity Dennis Chew has graduated from polytechnic 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 onstage to receive his diploma in Chinese media and communication from the school's director, 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 – turned up to support him. Chew was even name-dropped by the event's guest of honour, Yuen Kuan Moon, who is chairman of the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Council as well as group chief executive of telco Singtel. In his speech, Yuen said Chew's story is 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.' 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. He hopes to pursue a bachelor's degree in Chinese studies come August, once he sorts out his work commitments. '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.' 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 life 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.' 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 in 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 been only two periods which I thoroughly enjoyed – my national service days and my poly days.' Chew also hopes to encourage those 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.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
