St. Cloud State University is opening its new Confucius Institute Tuesday night.

The Confucius Institute will interact with statewide Chinese immersion and second-language programs. As well as local St. Cloud area Chinese immersion programs, including the Guang Ming Academy at Madison Elementary and the sixth-grade program at North Junior High School.

SCSU President Earl Potter explains the need for the Confucius Institute and its benefits.

The event starts at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, in the Atwood Memorial Center’s Cascade Room. After the initial event, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the School of Education room 8215, where the Confucius Institute is located.