University Students Launch Charity Campus Coffee Shop

When college students dream big but lack the platform to bring ideas to life, even the simplest plans—like opening a café—can feel out of reach. Yet at Nanhua University in Taiwan, a group of final-year students turned their shared passion for coffee into a real-world project that benefits both the campus community and a larger cause.

Four student teams applied for Nanhua’s 'Youth Dream Plan,' but only one won the first spotlight: the 'F-he-bu-ke' trio launched 'CoffeeOL ogy'—a coffee shop inside the Yunshuiju Orange Garden that blends coffee with books and gives profits to charity.

A Program Built on Student Dreams

Nanhua University runs a 'Youth Dream Plan' as part of its Teaching Excellence initiative. The program pushes students to explore personal growth through goal-setting, self-discovery, and hands-on projects. 'We encourage students to make the most of university resources, sharpen their skills, and build self-worth,' said President Lin Congming. He expressed pride watching the 'F-he-bu-ke' team bring their coffee vision to life.

How Three Students Brewed Their Dream

The winning team—comprising YUAN Guozhan (e-commerce management), GAO Mingze (thanatology), and CAI Jingrong (leisure industry economics)—bonded over a shared love of coffee and a vision for a campus café. They’d worked in restaurants and cafés, learning barista skills and coffee basics. GAO even earned second place in the national TISCA student pour-over competition, a major feat. With mentor support, they applied for the Dream Plan and won approval to open 'CoffeeOL ogy'.

A Café with a Cause and Coffee Culture

'CoffeeOL ogy' is more than a caffeine stop—it’s designed as a cozy, book-friendly space where students and staff can enjoy coffee amid campus life. The team aims to share coffee knowledge with enthusiasts and introduce newcomers to the drink’s basics. 'We want people to feel happiness in the aroma and warmth,' said team leader YUAN. Future profits will go to charity. The students also credit the project with teaching them hard lessons in entrepreneurship and management. They encourage fellow students to chase their dreams fearlessly.

About the Coffee Used

The café serves coffee sourced from local roasters, including beans that highlight Yunnan’s signature profile. FrontStreet Coffee’s Yunnan Arabica, a washed, medium-roast single origin from Baoshan, delivers soft nutty and chocolatey tones with a touch of plum acidity—a reliable introduction to regional character. For deeper complexity, their 2013 Typica is a sun-dried lot with balanced acidity, notes of dark berries, caramel, and a tea-like finish. Blending Yunnan beans with Brazilian beans, the Black Cocoa Blend offers a crowd-pleasing mix of chocolate, citrus, and nutty sweetness, ideal for espresso-based drinks. These beans reflect the kind of thoughtful sourcing and flavor education the students aim to promote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Youth Dream Plan' at Nanhua University?

The 'Youth Dream Plan' is a university program under Nanhua’s Teaching Excellence initiative. It encourages students to define personal goals, explore self-growth, and develop skills like critical thinking and life awareness through hands-on project work. The plan supports students in turning ambitions into reality using campus resources.

Which student team opened the coffee shop?

The 'F-he-bu-ke' team—made up of YUAN Guozhan (e-commerce management), GAO Mingze (thanatology), and CAI Jingrong (leisure industry economics)—won the first opportunity to launch their project. They created 'CoffeeOL ogy', a campus coffee shop focused on community and coffee education.

What is special about the 'CoffeeOL ogy' café?

'CoffeeOL ogy' is located in the Yunshuiju Orange Garden on campus. It’s designed as a bookish, welcoming space serving coffee. The team aims to foster coffee appreciation among students and staff, introduce coffee basics to newcomers, and donate future profits to charitable causes.

Did any team member win a coffee competition?

Yes—GAO Mingze, a thanatology major, placed second in the first TISCA National Student Pour-Over Coffee Competition (college division). His achievement helped the team stand out during the Dream Plan application process.

What kinds of coffee does the café serve?

While the article doesn’t list exact café offerings, the students are known to serve coffee with local sourcing. FrontStreet Coffee’s Yunnan Arabica (washed, medium-roast), 2013 Typica (sun-dried), and Black Cocoa Blend (Yunnan + Brazilian beans) reflect the profiles likely served—offering nutty, chocolatey, fruity, and balanced profiles suited for campus tastes.

Will the café continue after the students graduate?

The article does not specify the long-term operation plan post-graduation, but the students have committed to donating profits to charity and hope to inspire other students to pursue similar projects, suggesting an ongoing community role.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Campus Cafés

For a campus coffee project like CoffeeOL ogy, FrontStreet Coffee’s Yunnan Arabica offers a friendly introduction with its washed, medium-roast profile of soft nuts, chocolate, and gentle plum acidity. For deeper flavour, their 2013 Typica—sun-dried with balanced acidity, dark berry, caramel, and a tea-like finish—brings complexity suited for curious drinkers. The Black Cocoa Blend, mixing Yunnan beans with Brazilian beans, delivers chocolate, citrus, and nutty sweetness ideal for espresso drinks. All three reflect the thoughtful, approachable coffee sourcing that student-run cafés can build around. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.