Mr John So, co-founder of Arooma – a local youth-driven coffee brand in Macao, was invited to UTM to deliver a guest lecture and cocktail workshop titled "Coffee Startup, IP & Speciality Drink Design Insights" for year 3 students of the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Event Management programme. The session was a special segment of the course "Event Management: Hosting an Event", organised by lecturer Dr Belina Lei, aimed at helping students understand entrepreneurial practices and product innovation in the coffee industry.
Drawing on his experience as a co-founder of Arooma, John shared his knowledge of coffee and cocktails, along with valuable hands‑on experience in developing signature drinks. During the interactive discussion with students, he highlighted the key differences between coffee extraction methods and basic bartending techniques and explained how these methods affect beverage flavour profiles. He also reviewed a drink menu prepared by the students, breaking down the creative elements and production techniques behind each item, offering them a fresh, professional perspective.
The lecture not only provided Tourism Event Management students with real-world startup cases and industry insights but also fostered greater interaction between UTM and Macao's young entrepreneur community. Through the session, students deepened their understanding of coffee and mixology, laying a solid foundation for planning and organising related events in the future.
