He may be 70 years old, but his thirst for knowledge is unquenchable.

Yesterday, adjunct lecturer Johnnie Chia Swee Hock added a diploma in Digital Advertising Technology and Analytics from Temasek Polytechnic to his list of academic achievements.

He became the oldest-ever student to graduate from the poly, says Temasek Polytechnic.

The inspirational lifelong learner boasts a master’s degree in Social Sciences (Economics), three bachelor’s degrees and five diplomas.

He had started out with a Bachelor of Arts (Economic and Philosophy) in 1971 and added two more accounting-related degrees along the way, as well as an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants professional accounting qualification.

Mr Chia also has diplomas and certificates in a variety of fields ranging from computing to food hygiene.

Commenting on what motivated him to pursue his fifth diploma, Mr Chia said that if he sees a “need, now or in the future, he would take up the challenge”.

The content covered in the latest diploma also adds value to his teaching job with the School of Business Management in Nanyang Polytechnic, where he specialises in marketing.

He has taught there since 2001.

To him, data analytic is somewhat like a “sub-speciality” of marketing and he wanted to learn more to highlight its relevance to his students, in contrast to how traditional textbook marketing is taught.

He also uses the knowledge gleaned from his diploma to help his friends improve their website traffic.

Mr Chia said that his friends, who are about the same age as he is, are tech-savvy and run their own websites.

At the Temasek Polytechnic yesterday, he was carrying a copy of Midnight’s Descendants, a book about the 1947 partition of India and how it affected India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

When asked, Mr Chia said he always has a book with him as he is constantly eager to learn something new.

“Part of my DNA is to spend time studying and reading books,” he said.

“If you keep exercising your brain, learning will be effortless.”

CODING

In his free time, Mr Chia also explores different computer programs and writes codes for websites.

Having a supportive wife helps, too.

When asked about what she thinks of her husband’s commitment to learning, she enthusiastically said: “It’s very good! I encourage him to keep learning.”

But if you think he is all brain, note that Mr Chia appreciates the importance of brawn as well.

He runs up Mount Faber Hill three to four times a week, lapping up the challenge of running uphill.

What next for Mr Chia? He said he will be applying for a diploma at Singapore Polytechnic, but has not yet decided on the course of study.

This article was first published on May 13, 2016.
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It was an unlikely friendship but Annie Tan, 87, and Danish expatriate Pernille Vedersø Bussone, 36, have formed a strong bond thanks to a special trishaw which takes them across the neighbourhood, allowing them to explore Singapore and meet new people along the way.

During their weekly meetings, Annie (or Auntie Annie) and Pernille talk about all things under the sun – where they come from, what their childhoods were like and where they would like to go in future.

It also gives Auntie Annie a chance to feel the wind in her hair – something many young and able people take for granted.

Their friendship is all thanks to the Cycling Without Age movement, which was born in Denmark in 2012 and has since expanded to over 20 countries.

Special trishaw brings Singapore grandma and Danish expat together

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

Our Better World

It began when its founder, Ole Kassow, decided that he wanted to bring the joy of cycling to people who have lost the ability to do so because of their age.

Not only did the rides foster a connection between the young and old, they gave the elderly a chance to revisit and remember the places they once knew, to share stories about the past and to see how life had changed.

Singapore’s ever-changing city is home to Cycling Without Age’s first Asian branch, and anyone is welcome to rent the trishaw for free or volunteer to take seniors out for a trip down memory lane.

Pernille, who moved to Singapore with her family in 2014, works as head of the non-profit group full-time.

She first met Auntie Annie at the Salvation Army’s Family Services Centre, and they have been going on their trishaw rides since August 2015.

Their families have since become close friends, and Auntie Annie makes Peranakan treats for Pernille’s children, while Pernille brings Auntie Annie’s family Danish Christmas cookies.

The Salvation Army was the first to adopt Cycling Without Age at their Family Services Center in Beo Crescent, and the elderly folk who visit the centre have been enjoying their rides through the neighbourhood.

Social Work Assistant Chris Wong, 38, said that the trishaw has put smiles on the faces of many elderly folk at the centre.

In a video produced by the Singapore International Foundation, one elderly man tells Chris that the ride he gave was “very good”, while the elderly woman next to him said: “I love, I love”.

Referring to the elderly folk who go for rides on the trishaw, Chris says: “They need companions, and they’ll really appreciate you bringing them out even if it’s a short stint of 15-30 minutes. They’ll love it”.

ljessica@sph.com.sg

Are cats our new social media influencers?

It seems like it with a new, hilarious interpretation of the recent fiasco beverage manufacturer Marigold experienced with its Peel Fresh campaign, where social media influencers such as Naomi Neo and Tan Jian Hao touted their juices.

The campaign has been criticised for using these stars to promote a message as if it’s coming from them.

Ms Neo’s Instagram post drew more attention as she stated that she is “always carrying around a carton of (her favourite) Marigold Peel Fresh juice (cos Juices > Water any day)”.

Comments ranged from snarky to outraged, with Instagram user @isyahiran_ replying, “Idk (I don’t know) who in the world would walk around with a carton of juice in their hands but ok”, while @riondude said “Say hi to diabetes for me”. 

In response to ONE FM 91.3’s post about Naomi Neo, Facebook user Jazz Lange said: “Why carry a liter of juice when I’m way too cool to sweat in this crazy weather?” while user Sophie Wong said: “Diabetes that’s what you’ll get if u drink nothing but fruit juice my friend”.

RazorTV parodied Neo’s post, with a carton of Magnum ice cream, stating it is ice cream, not juice that keeps them “cool and collected”.

The Cats of Singapore Facebook page also responded with a parody of Neo’s post, using a cat to “endorse” a carton of Marigold Peel Fresh juice even “though it’s about 25% of (its) body mass”.

The page further made fun of Neo’s seeming unrehearsed, organic post by having the cat “end” its own post with: “And pour it out into a puddle on the floor before I can drink – uh…what’s my line again?”

Meow.

prabukm@sph.com.sg

Are cats our new social media influencers?

It seems like it with a new, hilarious interpretation of the recent fiasco beverage manufacturer Marigold experienced with its Peel Fresh campaign, where social media influencers such as Naomi Neo and Tan Jian Hao touted their juices.

The campaign has been criticised for using these stars to promote a message as if it’s coming from them.

Ms Neo’s Instagram post drew more attention as she stated that she is “always carrying around a carton of (her favourite) Marigold Peel Fresh juice (cos Juices > Water any day)”.

Comments ranged from snarky to outraged, with Instagram user @isyahiran_ replying, “Idk (I don’t know) who in the world would walk around with a carton of juice in their hands but ok”, while @riondude said “Say hi to diabetes for me”. 

In response to ONE FM 91.3’s post about Naomi Neo, Facebook user Jazz Lange said: “Why carry a liter of juice when I’m way too cool to sweat in this crazy weather?” while user Sophie Wong said: “Diabetes that’s what you’ll get if u drink nothing but fruit juice my friend”.

RazorTV parodied Neo’s post, with a carton of Magnum ice cream, stating it is ice cream, not juice that keeps them “cool and collected”.

The Cats of Singapore Facebook page also responded with a parody of Neo’s post, using a cat to “endorse” a carton of Marigold Peel Fresh juice even “though it’s about 25% of (its) body mass”.

The page further made fun of Neo’s seeming unrehearsed, organic post by having the cat “end” its own post with: “And pour it out into a puddle on the floor before I can drink – uh…what’s my line again?”

Meow.

prabukm@sph.com.sg