Wyatt R. (Rory) Hume, who promised to turn United Arab Emirates University into one of the world’s top 100 research institutions, plans to step down as the institution’s provost when his contract expires at the end of August to join the Qatar Foundation, The National reports. Mr. Hume, who took the job in 2008, was dogged by criticism of some of his decisions, including the hiring of foreigners for senior administrative posts, which led some Emirati faculty to feel shut out. He also faced unexpected roadblocks in the job, as government promises to underwrite the institution’s improvement fell victim to budget cuts.  Mr. Hume (a former provost of the University of California) did succeed in introducing the university’s first doctoral programs, increasing funds for research, and starting degree programs in fields such as water resources and energy.

Correction (8/13/2012, 2:30 p.m.): This post originally said Mr. Hume had resigned as provost. It has been corrected to say he plans not to renew his contract when it expires in August.