Ye Ouyang Ph.D. ’12 Brings Telecom and AI Expertise to the President’s Leadership Council

Ye Ouyang Ph.D. ’12, IEEE Fellow, has dedicated his career to making mobile communication technologies better, from the early days of 2G to today’s 5G. “Back in high school, I dreamed of becoming a soccer commentator,” he recollects. “However, my parents, both educators, saw the enormous potential in the information and communications technology industry, especially in China. They encouraged me to pursue mobile telecommunications instead, and I’m grateful for their guidance. Looking back, especially considering the current state and performance of Chinese soccer, I feel fortunate to have chosen a field with such promising prospects!”

After studying information engineering at the Southeast University and High School Affiliated to Nanjing Normal University, Ouyang earned a master’s degree in system engineering from Tufts University and another in data science and engineering from Columbia University, before completing his Ph.D. in interdisciplinary research in electrical engineering and telecommunications management at Stevens.

Stevens stood out to Ouyang because of its faculty, which included leading scientists from Bell Labs. “Being supervised by such respected scientists in telecommunications, from one of the most prestigious research institutions in the world, was a rare opportunity for any Ph.D. student, setting Stevens apart from most other universities,” he points out.

Ouyang also appreciated how Stevens’ academic programs in engineering and management aligned with industry trends ahead of its peer institutions, incorporating tools like Python, R, and Hadoop, which turned out to be foundational for AI and big data. “This forward-thinking curriculum gave me confidence that I’d graduate with the expertise the industry truly demands,” he says, adding that one of the most distinctive strengths of the graduate and doctoral programs at Stevens is the integration of engineering, technology and management. “I was able to take interdisciplinary courses and work on cross-functional research projects, which helped me build a strong academic foundation and gain a broader perspective.”

Stevens’ location put the university over the top for Ouyang. “Although I received fully funded Ph.D. offers from other institutions, Stevens’ location in New Jersey, a vibrant hub for the fast-growing telecommunications industry and just across the river from Manhattan, provided unparalleled access to industry connections, internships, and academic events,” he says. “Proximity to major R&D centers for companies like Verizon, AT&T, Lucent and Motorola, and to one of the world’s most dynamic cities, was key to both my education and my professional development.”

As chief technology officer and senior vice president at AsiaInfo Technologies, a global top 2 leader of telecom software and services, Ouyang is responsible for setting the direction of technology and product leadership and overseeing the corporation’s global research, development and innovation activities. Additionally, he chairs the corporate Technology Committee and directs more than 2,000 R&D Center engineers. Ouyang is also a distinguished professor at Tsinghua University, a visiting professor at Tongji University, and co-director of the Tsinghua-AsiaInfo Joint Institute of 6G Network & Intelligent Computing. Prior to joining AsiaInfo, Ouyang served as a Verizon Fellow and Senior Manager at Verizon. He has extensive work experience across telecom operators, equipment providers, and software providers in various technical, managerial and executive roles. His recent work focuses on cross-domain innovation and the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies in cellular networks, AI and data science. Ouyang has received numerous awards in both industry and academia, including the 2023 Forbes 100 Most Influential Chinese Selection Award. In 2022, he was elected as an IEEE Fellow in recognition of his outstanding leadership in the fields of network intelligence and self-organizing cellular networks.

Ouyang is particularly excited about the ways in which communications technology continues to reshape how we live and connect. “As a first-generation immigrant, I’ve experienced this shift firsthand,” he says. “Staying in touch with my family in China has evolved from expensive international calls to Skype, MSN, and now high-quality video chats through apps like FaceTime. Communication has become faster, clearer and more accessible. I’m proud to have contributed to that progress through my work.”

Ouyang’s exceptional knowledge and leadership led to President Nariman Farvardin’s invitation to join the President’s Leadership Council. His passion and vision for Stevens inspired him to accept without hesitation.

“One of my earliest and most memorable encounters with Dr. Farvardin goes back 15 years, around the time I completed my Ph.D. and he had newly joined the university,” Ouyang says. “I may be the only person in Stevens’ history to receive two Ph.D. diplomas within one week: one signed by Interim President Farvardin and another by President Farvardin. I called the registrar’s office to ask about the duplicate, and they told me to consider the interim one a collector’s item. And then they congratulated me on my graduation!”

Ouyang has been impressed by Stevens’ remarkable progress under President Farvardin’s leadership. “Living in Warren, New Jersey, I’ve been able to visit campus every year during my travels between the U.S. and China,” he says. “I’ve seen the university transform: two skyscrapers now serve as new landmarks; the Howe School has evolved from a technology management school into a renowned School of Business; the School of Engineering has introduced cutting-edge programs in AI, 5G and cloud computing; and the international admissions office has dramatically increased the university’s global diversity.”

“After witnessing so much transformation, I felt naturally drawn to contribute to its next chapter,” he continues. “As a member of this council, my top priority is to help elevate Stevens’ visibility and influence across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in China’s education and high-tech sectors. I also hope to serve as a bridge between President Farvardin and Stevens’ international partners, especially institutions like the Central University of Finance and Economics. As a visiting professor at both Tsinghua University and Tongji University, I plan to share best practices and academic innovations from China’s top universities with Stevens’ leadership, especially in areas of research and talent development. In my core field of mobile communications and AI, I’m committed to fostering deeper collaboration between Stevens’ faculty and global tech companies through university-industry partnerships.”

Ouyang also plans to continue actively recruiting Stevens graduates into his professional network and will support Stevens’ international admissions efforts, including interviewing prospective students. “Most importantly, I carry the university’s motto, per aspera ad astra, with me every day,” he says. “Over the next 20 years, I hope to reach new heights in the tech industry and make my alma mater proud.”

Despite his accomplishments, Ouyang strives to stay humble and to always keep learning. “As an executive and scientist in my field, my dream is to launch and take public a successful startup in the 6G and AI space within the next decade, and perhaps one day be elected to the National Academy of Engineering,” he says. “Eventually, I hope to return to academia. Who knows? Maybe I’ll come back to Stevens as a professor.”

Ouyang sees earning a degree from Stevens not as the end of an academic journey, but rather the beginning of a professional one. But he also sees those student years as an opportunity to fully experience campus life.

“International students often face additional challenges,” he adds, “such as language barriers, job hunting pressures and the need to be practical in choosing courses. These are all very real concerns. It’s important to be goal oriented, but make time for exploration,” he advises. “Ask yourself: What are the three most important things I want to take away from my time at Stevens—not just for my career, but for my life? Start your journey at Stevens with intention, and it will become an unforgettable part of your story.”