Ligia Deca is currently the Vice-Rector of the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), Bucharest. In 2022-2024, she was the Romanian Minister of Education. She has been awarded a PhD in Political Science by the University of Luxembourg, her research focusing on the internationalization of higher education. Author of several papers and studies in the field of education policy, Ligia Deca has also worked as an expert for the Council of Europe, European Commission, EQAR, DAAD and others.

Previously, as State Adviser and subsequently Presidential Adviser for Education and Research (2015-2022), Dr. Deca coordinated the Educated Romania project, which established a long-term strategic vision for the national education sector in Romania, translated into a new legal framework in her mandate as a minister. Prior to this work, she coordinated the Bologna Process Secretariat (2010-2012) and coordinated the 2012 Bucharest European Higher Education Area Ministerial Conference.

She was awarded the 2023 European Association for International Education (EAIE) Award for Vision and Leadership for her remarkable lifelong contribution to international education system in Romania and Europe, as well as for her achievements throughout her career. Also, in 2023, she has also been a member of the UN Working Group on Teaching Careers. This high-level working group was created as a follow up for the Transforming Education Summit (TES).

She is also a member of the Executive Board of the Romanian-American Fulbright Commission.