New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has signed a pact with Honghe University in China to establish through distance education a collaborative network in higher education. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) covers degree and diploma programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Emphasis will be placed on research and development with the use of information and communication technology. "Three MoUs have been signed earlier with Chinese Universities and there is great potential of such collaborations in not only the economic domain but tourism and culture as well," IGNOU Pro Vice Chancellor P.R. Ramanujam said. While emphasising the importance of close academic cooperation between the two varsities, IGNOU has requested Honghe University to provide a teacher to teach Chinese in the varsity. "We look forward to a teacher and student exchange programme with IGNOU, focusing not only on English as a subject but Chinese, Science and Management as well," Honghe University Vice President Peng Qiang said.