The College of Business Administration in Jeddah (CBA) on Monday signed an agreement with the University of Grenoble in France to provide master's and doctorate programs for Saudi students. Over 100 faculty members from different colleges and universities in the Kingdom and a number of Saudi academics and businessmen attended the ceremony. The agreement is considered to be the first of its kind in academic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France. Dr. Husain Al-Alawi, Dean of the CBA, said the agreement provides joint programs between France and the Kingdom by adding new specializations to the courses offered by the CBA. “The University of Grenoble will provide three new programs in international business, technical management, and business administration,” added Dr. Al-Alawi. He said the CBA enjoys the full support of the Ministry of Education in its quest to produce highly qualified business graduates to cater to the needs of the Saudi labor market. Dr. Abdullah Dahlan, Chairman of the board of trustees, said the CBA was looking forward to working with the French university as many Saudi students are currently in France studying for their PhDs. The Dean of Grenoble University, highlighted the excellent relationship between the Kingdom and France. He said these ties would further develop in the fields of learning, exchanging experiences and new vistas in educational cooperation.