BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ Dickinson State University and North Dakota State University want to establish new ties with Chinese universities and offer Chinese language classes.
The schools are asking the Board of Higher Education on Thursday for permission to establish a ``Confucius Institute'' in both Dickinson and Fargo. They could both get up to $100,000 annually to pay for Chinese language teachers, books and materials.
Dickinson State already has about 250 Chinese students. North Dakota State says the institute in Fargo would educate students and business people about Chinese language and culture.
The University of Montana and the University of Minnesota have both had Confucius Institutes for two years. There are more than 60 in the United States.
