A new institute will be established after Cabinet approved in principle for the merging of five of Fiji's tertiary institutions.

The establishment to be called the Fiji University of Science and Technology will see the Fiji Institute of Technology, the Fiji College of Agriculture, the Fiji School of Nursing , the Fiji College of Advanced Education and the Lautoka Teachers College all come under one jurisdiction.

According to the Interim Minister for Public Service, Poseci Bune, the merger will see better access to quality education that will meet Fiji's manpower needs.

A scoping study will be conducted to determine whether the merging can be accomplished in a short time period or whether it will happen over a longer period of time.