The National Open University (NOU) was set up on the 1st of August, 1986. Prior to that, the Ministry of Education had run three university-level courses at a distance, as a pilot program, for three years since 1983. Following the completion of the relevant legislation by Legislative Yuan (Yuan means governing branch) of the central government, the president of the country promulgated the 'Regulations on the Establishment of the National Open University' in June 1985. The University held its first opening ceremony and started its first-year courses in November 1986. Its first graduation ceremony was taken place in September 1991. In July 1992, the Open Junior College of Public Administration, managed by National Chengchi University was affiliated to the NOU. Since then, the NOU has been operating the Open Junior College. The graduates of the College are conferred a diploma which is equal to the completion of first two-year study at a university. History of the University In July 1995, the Legislation Yuan agreed that the NOU can award bachelor's degree to its graduates. Those who already graduated could receive their degree, too. In March 1997, the NOU abolished the entrance examination and started to offer a wider open access to learners.