At the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Awards Ceremony of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), two alumni with backgrounds in computer science—Ching Hsiao and Sean Pien—were honored for their remarkable achievements in the fields of technology and business. One has elevated Taiwan’s information services industry to the international stage, while the other leads at the forefront of AI and cloud technology. Their visionary leadership, commitment to action, and deep sense of social responsibility exemplify the extraordinary accomplishments of NYCU alumni.

From Last in Class to Global Leader: The Remarkable Journey of Ching Hsiao

Ching Hsiao graduated from the Department of Control and Computer Engineering at Chiao Tung University in 1975, later earning a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University in the United States. He spent 18 years in Silicon Valley, holding key leadership positions in EDA and embedded systems development, and served as General Manager of Dow Jones trading systems, gaining solid technical expertise and a global perspective.

In 2004, he boldly took the helm of Syscom Group, a company suffering years of losses, and rebranded it as Wistron ITS. With strategic transformation toward IT outsourcing services, the company turned profitable within just two years. Over the next two decades, Hsiao led the company to more than 20-fold growth, with 85% of its business now overseas—establishing Wistron ITS as a leading brand in Taiwan’s information services sector.

Recognizing that talent is the cornerstone of long-term development, Hsiao has actively fostered industry-academia collaboration and helped build a global talent ecosystem. He has also embedded corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability into his company’s mission. “We must work with the next generation to build a more impactful international tech ecosystem,” he emphasized—not just as a business vision, but as a legacy of educational commitment.

In his speech, Hsiao recalled entering Chiao Tung University as the lowest-ranked student in his class. Through perseverance and mentorship, he steadily rose to the top and eventually earned the opportunity to study in the U.S. “Chiao Tung wasn’t just a source of knowledge,” he said with emotion, “it was the starting point of my broader worldview.” He also expressed gratitude to mentors from the College of Information and the senior alumni who supported him—such as Chairman Hsien-Ming Lin, General Manager Hui-Chu Huang, and President Kuang-Yi Wu—who made this honor even more meaningful.

From Humble Beginnings to Visionary Impact: Sean Pien and His Commitment to Technology and Society

Sean Pien graduated from the Department of Computer Science at Chiao Tung University in 1994 and earned his master’s degree from the Institute of Information Management in 1996. He is now the General Manager of Microsoft Taiwan. Coming from a modest military dependents’ village, he attributes the pivotal turning point in his life to the education and inspiration he received at Chiao Tung University. “The university gave me confidence, knowledge, the tools to seek answers, and, most importantly, a network and a broader vision,” he reflected. This foundation shaped his leadership style and core values.

At Microsoft, Pien has been a driving force behind Taiwan’s AI ecosystem and the IoT Excellence Center. He also founded the Taiwan Climate Partnership, aiming to realize a sustainable vision of net-zero emissions. Furthermore, he played a key role in developing Taiwan’s first fully digital-native hospital, Chuming Hospital, leveraging AI and cloud technology to innovate in healthcare.

Pien also spearheaded the AI PLUS TAIWAN initiative, which established data centers in Taiwan to support industrial digital transformation. In collaboration with the government, he has strengthened cybersecurity defenses, helping to shape Taiwan into a smart island powered by AI.

To align with the global trend toward net-zero emissions, Pien founded the Taiwan Climate Partnership, integrating digital technologies with sustainability goals—a testament to his high-level perspective on environmental leadership. “What matters most isn’t what we’ve done for Microsoft,” he stated, “but how we’ve leveraged the platform to bring resources to Taiwan.”

This sense of social responsibility stems from the strong alumni culture at Chiao Tung University. “Whenever I see ‘Chiao Tung University’ on a resume,” he said, “I know this is someone I can trust.” Within this close-knit alumni network, Pien sees legacy and collaboration. It’s this conviction that drives him to give back to academia through corporate efforts, nurturing future tech talents and helping Taiwan’s industries step into a new golden age.

The Intersection of Personal Growth and National Vision

Though they have forged different paths—one rooted in domestic enterprise, the other in the global tech scene—Ching Hsiao and Sean Pien share a belief that talent is the most vital investment. They both advocate connecting government, industry, and academia through foresight and practical action. More than that, both have chosen to give back to their alma mater at the peak of their careers, mentoring the next generation.

Their stories go beyond individual accomplishments; they represent Taiwan’s ongoing journey to carve out its place in the global digital landscape. Through information services, international business leadership, AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, they have built resilience into Taiwan’s enterprises, sustainability into its industries, and broader pathways for future talent in academia.

By honoring these two alumni, NYCU not only celebrates their past achievements but also entrusts them with a vision for the future. Ching Hsiao leads with industrial innovation to take Taiwan global; Sean Pien builds a digital island through cloud and AI. Their stories prove that no matter where you start, if you dare to dream and act, you can reach your own summit—and this legacy will be passed on through every generation of NYCU alumni.