The Open University of Israel (Hebrew: האוניברסיטה הפתוחה‎, HaUniversita HaPtukha) is a distance-education university in Israel. As of 2006, the Open University teaches around 39,000 students. The Open University of Israel has more students than any other academic institution in Israel. The administration is based in the city of Ra'anana. Students from all over the world attend the university. The university awards undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates. The Open University of Israel was planned in 1971, modeled after the UK's Open University. The first semester of studies in it commenced on October 17, 1976. In 1980, the Open University was officially recognized as an institute of higher education in Israel and was granted the right to award bachelor's degrees (BA). In 1982, 41 graduates received BA diplomas in the university's first diploma ceremony. In 1987, it had 11,000 students and 180 courses. In 1993, it had 20,000 students, 300 courses, and 405 new graduates. In 2002, it had 36,710 students enrolled. Up to 2003, more than 13,000 people graduated the university with a degree. In 1996, the university started a master's degree program.