The University Institute of Geology "Isidro Parga Pondal" is created upon the agreement between two Galician entities: the University of A Coruña and the Laboratorio Xeolóxico de Laxe (Isidro Parga Pondal Foundation) in order to develop a scientific and research activity in the geology field. This collaboration has already begun informally in 1979 when the University of A Coruña did not exist yet though it did the University College of A Coruña, depending on the University of Santiago. From that implicit agreement there resulted several activities described in the section of activities of the Laboratorio Xeolóxico de Laxe.

In 1994 the University of A Coruña and the Laboratorio Xeolóxico de Laxe of the Seminario de Estudos Galegos signed a collaboration agreement on different areas: scientific publications, university teaching, research and spreading of the Geology of Galicia and of the Peninsular Hercynian that ends with the creation of the University Institute of Geology Isidro Parga Pondal by Decree published in the D.O.G. 243/1997 number 156 of August, 1997. To facilitate the achievement of the objectives stated in the agreement, and as consequence of the will of the two participating entities, at that moment it was decided to use the formula of the University Institute which, according to section 11 of the Act of University Reform (L.R.U.) is a centre mainly devoted to research and may carry out teaching and research activities related to specialized teaching or doctorate courses and give technical scientific advise.

The University Institue of Geology "Isidro Parga Pondal"  has an integrating vocation of the Geology in all its specialities with all those disciplines or knowledge that ,though not being specifically geological, are directly related to it and allow a more rational use of the resources of the University of A Coruña and of the Laboratorio de Laxe having an undoubtful well established place in the culture, history and science of Galicia.