Mentis traces its origins to 2022. The initiative began through the independent efforts of Alfilgen Sebandal, a Filipina mathematician who was then pursuing her PhD in Mathematics. Through the international network she built during research visits, conferences, and workshops, she began connecting students in the Philippines with experts abroad, creating opportunities for mentorship and research collaboration. These early efforts laid the foundation for what would later become Mentis.
In 2024, Wolfgang Bock, Mark Pengitore, and Monika Kudlińska joined Alfilgen Sebandal in developing the initiative. Their collaboration formally culminated in the establishment of Mentis, marked by the organization of the 2026 Topology and Algebras Workshop Philippines (TAWPh). As part of the workshop, each lecturer committed to supervising at least one participant, further advancing Mentis' mission of fostering international research mentorship and collaboration.
As of July 2026, Mentis has successfully connected 12 Filipino students with researchers and experts from France, India, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and academic development.
