Green light for uni researcher hiring

(ANSA) - Rome, February 18 - Italian Education Minister Stefania Giannini gave the go-ahead on Thursday for the recruitment of 861 university researchers.
    A recruitment decree signed by Giannini, which acts on measures agreed in Italy's budget law, doubles the number of "Type B" researchers, or those with three-year contracts, to about 1,500 from 700.
    Giannini said the aim was "to provide new energy for university research" and the Education Ministry described it as "an important injection of resources". Universities will be able to confirm the researchers as associated professors after their three-year contracts expire, the ministry said in a statement.
    Giannini also approved a measure to distribute 6 million euros for the recruitment of ordinary professors in 2016.
    Universities will have to use at least 20% of resources to hire people that do not already work for them.