TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a significant development for Taiwan's technology and smart city sectors, the Taiwan Smart City Solutions Alliance (TSSA) elected Shui-Yi Kuo, chairman of Chunghwa Telecom, as its new leader during its 49th alliance meeting held on Tuesday (May 14).
The ceremony, marked by a symbolic high-five between the outgoing and incoming chairmen, ushers in a new era of leadership for the alliance, which has been at the forefront of promoting smart city solutions and the Internet of Things (IoT) industry since its inception in 2014.
Shui-Yi Kuo, who has helmed Chunghwa Telecom since 2019, brings a wealth of experience to his new role as the 10th chairman of TSSA. His tenure at Chunghwa Telecom, first as chief financial officer and Executive Vice President from 2017 to 2019 and then as chairman, has been characterized by significant growth and strategic advancements in the company's operations.
Expanding Horizons
Under Kuo's leadership, TSSA aims to leverage the global trend toward smart cities as a pivotal opportunity for Taiwan's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry. During the handover ceremony, Kuo expressed his ambition to expand international exchanges and collaborations through co-creation in enterprises, highlighting Taiwan's potential to play a significant role in the global smart city movement.
This vision is supported by the success of TSSA's Smart City Summit & Expo and the 2050 Net Zero City Expo, which, as reported by Charles Y.P. Huang, Senior Deputy Secretary General of the Taipei Computer Association, saw a 16% growth in exhibitions this year. The events attracted a record 2,192 city leaders and experts from 46 countries, underscoring the growing international interest in smart city solutions and Taiwan's pivotal role in this arena.
A Legacy of Innovation
Since its establishment by the Taipei Computer Association, TSSA has been instrumental in fostering the development of the IoT industry, facilitating the expansion of smart cities, and promoting cross-industry collaboration. The chairman's term, renewed annually according to the organization's charter, has seen leadership from notable industry leaders across a spectrum of Taiwan's tech giants, including Advantech, Tatung Corporation, and Acer, among others.
The Smart City Summit and Expo, a flagship event organized by TSSA since 2014 in collaboration with the Kaohsiung City Government and the National Development Council, has cemented its status as a globally recognized trade show and a significant IoT industry expo in Asia.
The addition of the "2050 Net Zero City Expo" in 2023 further emphasizes TSSA's commitment to facilitating the exchange of digital and net-zero technology solutions, accelerating Taiwan's progress towards net-zero goals, and promoting global digital and green transformations.
As Shui-Yi Kuo embarks on his tenure as chairman, his vision for TSSA and the broader smart city ecosystem in Taiwan is clear. By fostering international collaborations and leveraging the global shift towards smart, sustainable urban development, TSSA, under Kuo's leadership, is poised to drive significant advancements in Taiwan's ICT industry and contribute to the global smart city movement.
