The Institute for Studies and Development of Galicia (IDEGA) at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) celebrated its 50th anniversary this Thursday with an institutional event that served to review half a century of research and knowledge transfer dedicated to the economic, social, and territorial development of Galicia.
The event was presided over by the Rector of the USC, Rosa Crujeiras, and was held in the Salón Noble de Fonseca, bringing together the Minister of Education, Román Rodríguez; the Councilor for Urban Planning of Santiago, Iago Lestegás; the Director of IDEGA, Rubén C. Lois; and the Secretary of IDEGA, Manuel Fernández Grela.
“We are celebrating fifty years of an institution that has fostered a scientific community,” stated the rector, who defined IDEGA as an institute that “has evolved in step with Galicia and continues to be a benchmark for research, interdisciplinary cooperation, and knowledge transfer in service to society.” The regional minister concurred, describing IDEGA as “a leading institution in the field of social sciences with a common goal: to better understand Galicia.”
In his address, the director of IDEGA traced the institute’s history, contextualizing its origins and its consolidation as a university center distinguished by its “multidisciplinary approach.” “For five decades, IDEGA has maintained its commitment to conducting studies for public institutions and private entities, focused on improving development indicators. This development is now sustainable and socially responsible,” he noted.
The institute’s secretary, Manuel Fernández Grela, explained at the event that research income “is steadily increasing.” In 2025, the center’s budget exceeded €1,800,000, and the forecast for this year is to surpass €2,000,000. “We are very proud that in recent years we have been awarded nine competitive European projects,” he added. He also highlighted that IDEGA was the sixth most productive research center at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), and “the first in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities.”
At the event, Councilor Lestegás emphasized the importance of scientific evidence “for making public decisions.” “It’s about thinking about the territory from within the territory itself; we can all agree that territorial planning is one of the great challenges of the 21st century, and for that, we need quality data, which IDEGA provides,” he said.
IDEGA reaffirmed its commitment to continue strengthening the scientific excellence of the USC, the attraction of talent and international projection, at a time when the institute is working to advance its incorporation into the CIGUS Network, made up of the research centers of excellence of the University System of Galicia.
