For researchers, the announcement of a Ministry of Universities and Research separate from that of Education is a wonderful end-of-year surprise, anticipated for at least 20 years, with the exception of the brief interlude from 2006 to 2008. Likewise, there is consensus on the nomination of Gaetano Manfredi as minister, announced by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The consolidation of Education, University, and Research into a single ministry dates back to the law of May 9, 1999, which came into force in 2001 and was interrupted only from 2006 to 2008, during the second Prodi government. Since 2008, with the fourth Berlusconi government, Education, University, and Research have once again been part of a single ministry. In 1999, the decision to unify ministries was part of Franco Bassanini's reform, which aimed to reduce the number of ministries and contrasted with the effort that ten years earlier, in 1989, had led to the separation of the responsibilities of universities and research from those of schools. "More funding is needed. We are well aware of the difficult situation of public finances, but universities and research cannot be the Cinderella of the country," Manfredi began. Born on January 4, 1964, in Ottaviano, in the province of Naples, he graduated in Engineering in 1988 from the Federico II University. At the same university, he has held a chair in Construction Technology since 2000 and has been rector since 2014. Since 2015, he has been president of the Conference of Rectors and in this capacity has always fought to defend universities and research. After an initial three-year term, he was confirmed in his role in 2018. Initial feedback from the research community has been decidedly positive. "I am absolutely in favor of separating the ministries," said Giorgio Parisi, president of the Accademia dei Lincei. Conte's announcement fully responded to the appeal launched last September by Gruppo 2003, which brings together numerous internationally renowned Italian researchers. The request to separate universities and research from education stems from the belief that "research can bring well-being to the country in international competition," said Gruppo 2003 president Nicola Bellomo. It is therefore appropriate, he noted, that it requires "significant and specialized attention" because a dedicated ministry "makes it easier to address the sector, as long as it is done with a global perspective on the country and its economy."
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