In the serene and well-equipped coffee training room at Fujian Polytechnic of Information Technology headquartered in Pingtan, students are not just sipping coffee but crafting their futures with it. The college, known for its innovative educational approaches, has introduced a mandatory course on coffee making, aiming to integrate industry practices with education, enhance students' competitiveness in the job market, and expand their vocational skills. Pingtan is a rising international tourism island off E China's Fujian province.

From establishing a base for barista training to setting up a coffee studio, the college's School of Culture, Creativity and Tourism has taken a step further by offering a comprehensive curriculum that teaches the art of coffee making and paves the way for students to become professional baristas.

Students, once novices in the world of coffee, are now mastering the craft through professional courses and hands-on training. Wang Hong, a second-year student majoring in Leisure Service and Management, is a testament to the program's success. She said, "Learning coffee making not only opened up a new career path for me but also deepened my passion for the profession."

The college's approach to coffee education is not limited to the classroom. Students are encouraged to practice their skills at the on-campus cafes, where they can apply their knowledge in a real-world setting. Chen Hua, a teacher at the training center, emphasized the importance of hands-on experience, stating, "Coffee making is all about manual operation. We encourage students to practice more in their spare time to become excellent baristas in the future."

The college's coffee studio serves as a platform for students to delve deeper into coffee culture and explore career opportunities. Under the guidance of teacher Shi Runzhou, students are learning to make Italian-style coffee and gaining insights into the coffee industry. Yang Yulei, a student and the head of the coffee studio, shared his aspirations to integrate coffee skills into his future career as a tour guide, saying, "I hope to make delicious coffee for guests and promote coffee culture."

The college has also partnered with several beverage brands, offering intern opportunities to engage in beverage development, event planning, and online brand promotion. Shi Runzhou highlighted the benefits of these partnerships, noting, "This means students can get a taste of working in the industry in a school setup, honing their professional skills through real practice."

Chen Hua, who transitioned from being an IT teacher to a coffee educator, has been instrumental in developing the coffee curriculum. Her passion for coffee culture led her to pursue further training and competitions, earning her SCA Intermediate Barista Certificate and CCT Junior Coffee Taster Certificate. She said, "I want to take students to coffee shops and factories for field visits to expose them to the forefront of coffee technology and market trends."

The college's strategic location in Pingtan, a growing tourist hotspot with a burgeoning number of homestay hostels and coffee shops, has also allowed it to offer coffee courses to the public, providing talent training for local businesses.

This innovative educational initiative at Fujian Polytechnic of Information Technology is not just about making coffee; it's about brewing a brighter future for its students.