Southern Polytechnic State University and Kennesaw State University are collaborating to offer an unprecedented Asian Studies minor.

The minor is the first in the University System of Georgia, as well as the first such collaboration between the Asia Resource Group of Kennesaw State and Southern Polytechnic. This joint minor aims broadly at an increased understanding of contemporary Asia in light of its history and hopes for the future. It also seeks to bring together professors with teaching and research focus on Asia with students pursuing Asia-related careers.

"This minor provides a strong historical foundation for students to understand contemporary Asian cultural situations," said Dr. Carol Barnum, who teaches Chinese Culture at Southern Polytechnic "Asian issues dominate the news these days - culturally and as part of the global economy. This is a great opportunity for students on both campuses."

Classes will be offered at both universities, with the majority on the Kennesaw State campus. Kennesaw State and Southern Polytechnic are within a short driving distance from each other.

Dr. Thomas Keene, director of the KSU International Center, said he and other Kennesaw State faculty members are excited about the possibility of collaborating with Dr. Barnum and other Southern Polytechnic colleagues.

"Such combined efforts permit us to offer a broader range of programs to our students at essentially no additional cost," Keene said. "That's good for our students and good for Georgia taxpayers."