Sir Emyr has been the UK's UN representative since 2003

Sir Emyr Jones Parry, from the Gwendraeth Valley in Carmarthenshire, succeeds former Ceredigion MP Lord Elystan Morgan.

He was appointed for a period of five years at a meeting of the university's council.

Sir Emyr, who will take up the office in January, said he was delighted by the honour.

Prof Noel Lloyd, the university's vice-chancellor and principal, said he was pleased a person of "such international standing as Sir Emyr" had been appointed president.

He added: "This is an extremely important time in the development of the university and I look forward to working together to ensure its continued development and success.

"Sir Emyr's experience and eminence will be of great value to the university."

Sir Emyr has enjoyed a varied career in the diplomatic service. In 1973 he joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and has subsequently held posts in Canada, at the European Parliament in Brussels and Madrid.

He is also a former UK ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato). In 2003, he was appointed the UK's permanent representative to the UN in New York.