British Columbia Open University (BCOU), a division of the Open Learning Agency, was created twenty-five years ago to offer students flexible access to post-secondary distance education. It provides learning opportunities that are tailored to students' personal needs. The British Columbia Open University is a public institution and a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). BCOU also partners with other educational institutions, professional bodies, industry, and business, and is a founding member of the Canadian Virtual University.