Ayaka NODA is a Professor at the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-UE), specializing in comparative higher education policy and university quality assurance. Previously served as Associate Professor (2019-2023) and held visiting roles at institutions like Tohoku University and Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS). Education: Doctor of Education (The George Washington University), MA in International Education (GWU), BA from Keio University. Exchange studies at the University of Washington. Research Interests: Focus on quality assurance mechanisms, competency-based education, microcredentials, and internationalization of higher education. Active in policy advisory roles for Japan's Ministry of Education and global quality assurance organizations. Awards: 2019 Emerald Literati Award & 2020 JACUE Selection for contributions to comparative education policy and quality assurance frameworks. Grants & Projects: Leads international research on microcredentials' role in reskilling, comparative studies on quality assurance systems, and Japan's qualifications framework development. Active in 13+ national/international committees including Japan Quality Assurance Agency and UNESCO-related initiatives. Teaching: Taught courses on globalization in education, higher education policy, and assessment frameworks at Tohoku University, Ritsumeikan University, and others.







