Fareed Zakaria, who admitted to lifting passages from a Harvard professor essay, has resigned from his post of Successor Trustee at Yale Corporation Monday.

In what is said to be the unedited resignation letter to Yale President Richard. C Levin, Zakaria wrote that in order focus on the 'core of [his] work', he needs to shed some of the other responsibilities.

"My service at Yale is the single largest commitment of time, energy and attention outside of my writing and television work," he wrote.

The plagiarism accusations early this month marred the Time editor-at-large and CNN program host's reputation. He was suspended from his duties at both the media corporations but within few days it was revoked following a review of his work.

He also added in his letter to Levin that the work at Yale Corporation needs 'great attention' but he doesn't have the capacity to do it and cannot keep up with 'professional obligations'.

The Yale Corporation is the governing and policy making body of the university, whose jobs include approving budgets and programs.

The Corporation has ten Successor Trustees, who elect their own successors for up to two six-year terms. Zakaria was nominated as a successor trustee in 2006, according to the Yale University website.

The question of a replacement will be referred to the Trusteeship Committee of the Yale Corporation, which serves as a nominating committee, according to Yale spokesman Tom Conroy. "As vacancies occur most years, the Trusteeship Committee has an ongoing process by which it identifies excellent candidates," he said to New Haven Register.

In accepting Zakaria's resignation, Levin said to the Regsiter: "My colleagues and I are deeply grateful for Fareed Zakaria's generous contribution of time and service to the Yale Corporation these past six years. His keen intelligence and broad knowledge of world affairs have enlightened our discussions, and his appearances on campus have benefitted our students and faculty. We will miss him as a colleague, a contributor and a friend."

Previously, Levin had indicated that the Corporation was reviewing Zakaria. But now due to his resignation, the review will be discontinued.