Isabel Capeloa Gil, according to the Australian Catholic University, "exemplifies the highest levels of international and national leadership in Catholic university education", reason why the University awarded her an Honoris Causa Doctorate, on 30 August 2023, in Melbourne.

This commendation celebrates the academic career of the President of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, who already holds an Honorary Doctorate from Boston College, since 2019, and from the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP), having made history by being the first woman to receive the distinction, by this university, in 2021.

Internationally recognised, Isabel Capeloa Gil is the second female President of the Universidade Católica, but the first female and lay President of the International Federation of Catholic Universities, where she "has been actively involved in international policy work and diplomacy, particularly among Catholic institutions", highlights the Australian Catholic University.

Thanks to her remarkable career and dedication to the Catholic Church, Isabel Capeloa Gil was appointed by Pope Francis as a consultant to the Dicastery for Culture and Education in 2023. Isabel Capeloa Gil is also a consultant to the Congregation for Catholic Education, and a member of the Scientific Council of AVEPRO, the Holy See Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of the Quality of Ecclesiastical Universities and Colleges.

The President of Católica, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA) and the Board of Trustees of Europaeum, founded in 2018 the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU), an alliance of which the Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a founding member.

ACU stands out as one of the best universities in the world, being in the top 2% of all universities in the world, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023.

Founded in 1991, from the congregation of four Australian Catholic universities, the Catholic College of Education Sydney, the Institute of Catholic Education, McAuley College, and the Signadou College of Education, it is a public university with eight physical campuses and one online, with programmes in the most varied areas of knowledge.

Zlatko Skrbis, Vice-Chancellor and President of this prestigious Catholic university, currently holds the position of President of the SACRU alliance.

The degree of Doctor Honoris Causa is awarded to eminent personalities who have distinguished themselves in academic, scientific, professional, cultural, artistic, civic or political activity, or who have rendered high services to the University, the Country or Humanity.