With a Comrade of Labour he received in 2015 under his belt, Chee Hock Wah first started his union journey when he joined Ngee Ann Polytechnic Academic Staff Union (NPASU) in 1987. In 2005, he was elected to the executive council, and in 2009 he was made assistant general secretary. In 2015, he was elected general secretary, a position he holds to date.
Currently an IT lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Mr Chee is also not your average teacher – he is a U Live Photography Ambassador.
His foray into photography began in 2012 when he was in Xiamen, China, with his students for a five-week immersion study trip. He took up photography classes after the trip.
Since then, he has never failed to bring two cameras and a few interchangeable lenses wherever he goes.
U Live Ambassador
When Mr Chee received an email from U Live about the U Live Photography Ambassador in 2014, he decided to join as one. He was in the first batch of 16 U Live Photography Ambassadors which offered basic training on photography.
He has been actively giving back to the U Live community by organising outings and activities specially catered for seniors age 55 and above. The groups have been to Coney Island, the old Bukit Timah Railway Station and Orchard Road for a Christmas light up.
When not organising activities, he volunteers as a photographer for NTUC events such as the bowling competition for the U Live Games 2016/2017.
“I get to meet U Live members who are still working or are retired. They come from all walks of life, and we have so much diversity,” he said on his work as a U Live Ambassador.
He stressed that active ageing is very important as it helps members stay engaged and healthy.
He added: “For members who are still working, we hope to supplement their lives. For those who are retired, we hope to enrich their lives and help them create a new lifestyle.”
