The Bavarian state government is assessing whether to merge the two large Munich colleges, the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) and the Technical University (TU), into a joint institution called the "University of Munich," the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported. Bavarian Science Minister Thomas Goppel confirmed Tuesday in an interview with Bavarian public broadcaster BR that a commission of experts had suggested integrating the two universities. A merger could result in more effective use of funding, attract more highly qualified academics and eventually turn the university into one of the world's 10 best, Goppel said. LMU Rector Bernd Huber has already rejected the suggestion, saying that the universities were already very successful. TU President Wolfgang Herrmann welcomed the idea of a merger, which, with more money and personnel could increase international competitiveness, he said.