PhD Student · Monash University  ·  Lecturer · Undiksha

I Gede Mahendra
Darmawiguna

Researcher and lecturer in computer science specialising in augmented & virtual reality, digital cultural heritage preservation, and technology-enhanced learning. Currently pursuing a PhD at Monash University, Australia.

I Gede Mahendra Darmawiguna

About

I am a PhD student in the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University, Australia, and a lecturer in the Informatics Department at Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha), Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia, where I have taught since 2010.

My research lies at the intersection of extended reality (XR), digital cultural heritage, and technology-enhanced learning. I am particularly passionate about using augmented and virtual reality to document and preserve Balinese cultural heritage — from ancient temples to traditional scripts and oral legends.

I am also the Founder & CIO of CV. Ganesha Inovasi Teknologi and serve as Research & Community Service Coordinator for APTIKOM Bali. I have authored and co-authored books on data mining and C# programming, and hold multiple intellectual property registrations in Indonesia.

Oracle Academy Instructor IC3 Digital Literacy Professional Lecturer Certification

Key Publications & Books

3D Gaussian Splatting — Balinese Temples

3D Gaussian Splatting for Archival of Balinese Temples from Community-Sourced Videos

We present a novel application of 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) for the large-scale archival of thousands of temples in Bali. Our project, the Bali Digital Heritage Initiative, adopts a participatory approach in which local communities collect video footage of vulnerable temples, which we transform into 3DGS scenes to serve as digital archives.

Publication type: Full Paper
3D Gaussian Splatting Cultural Heritage Crowdsourcing

Citation

Wilson, A., Murtiyoso, A., Jenny, B., Darmawiguna, I. G. M., Suputra, P. H., Chandler, T., Kesiman, M. W. A., & Satriadi, K. A. (2025). 3D Gaussian splatting for archival of Balinese temples from community-sourced videos. IEEE International Conference on Imaging Systems and Techniques, Strasbourg, France.

Bali Temple VR

Bali Temple VR: The Virtual Reality Based Application for the Digitalization of Balinese Temples

A virtual reality application to document Balinese temples as a form of cultural heritage. Users can take immersive virtual tours and experience the full landscape of temples and sacred objects inside, preserving them digitally for future generations.

Publication type: Book Chapter
Virtual RealityCultural Heritage3D Modelling

Citation

Darmawiguna, I. G. M. , Pradnyana, G.A., Sindu, I., Karimawan, I.P.P.S. & Dwiasri, N.K.R.A. (2020). Bali Temple VR. Kultur und Informatik: Virtual History and Augmented Present, Lisbon, Portugal.

AR Story Book Project

The Augmented Reality Story Book Project: A Collection of Balinese Myths and Legends

An AR storybook focusing on Balinese myths and legends, developed for Android using Unity3D and Vuforia. When the camera is pointed at an image marker, animated 3D scenes appear alongside narration and music — bridging traditional storytelling with emerging technology.

Publication type: Book Chapter · Springer LNCS
Augmented RealityBalinese CultureMobile App

Citation

Darmawiguna, I.G.M., Kesiman, Sunarya, I.M.G., Arthana, K.R., Crisnapati, P.N. (2015). Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 9254, Springer-Verlag, pp. 71–88. SALENTOAVR, Lecce, Italy.

The AR Book Project

The AR Book Project: Collection of Augmented Reality Applications of Balinese Artistic and Cultural Objects

A collection of augmented reality applications showcasing Balinese artistic and cultural objects, developed as an educational tool to introduce younger generations to the richness of Balinese visual heritage through interactive mobile experiences.

Publication type: Conference Paper
Augmented RealityCultural ObjectsEducation

Citation

Kesiman, M. W. A., Darmawiguna, I. G. M., Crisnapati, P. N., Ardipa, G. S., Mariyantoni, I. K. Y., Nugraha, M. L., Prasetya, A. Y. R. A., & Dewantara, I. M. A. Y. (2014). The AR Book Project: Collection of augmented reality application of Balinese artistic and cultural objects. In R. Franken-Wendelstorf, E. Lindinger, & J. Sieck (Eds.), Kultur und Informatik: Reality and Virtuality. Culture and Computer Science Conference, Berlin, pp. 93–105.

Darmawiguna, I. G. M., Kesiman, M. W. A., Crisnapati, P. N., Wiartika, I. M. E., Suparianta, K. D, Susena, I. K., Yudiantara, I. M. (2014). Augmented Reality for the Documentation of Cultural Heritage Building Modelling in Bali Indonesia. In R. Franken-Wendelstorf, E. Lindinger, & J. Sieck (Eds.), Kultur und Informatik: Reality and Virtuality. Culture and Computer Science Conference, Berlin, pp. 93–105.

Key Projects

🏯

Bali Digital Heritage Initiative (BADHI)

Empowering Balinese communities in preserving cultural heritage through responsible, sustainable, and collaborative digitisation — including 3D Gaussian Splatting of Balinese temples.

2024 – Present badhi.id ↗
🕌

TEMPLES — AR for Balinese Temple Visitors

Augmented Reality system to build visitor awareness of sacred contextual information in Balinese temples — restricted areas, prohibited activities, and object interaction guidance.

2024
🏛️

SPBE Roadmap — Buleleng Regency

Developing the architecture document and roadmap for the Electronic-Based Government System (SPBE) of the Regional Government of Buleleng Regency, aligned with national standards.

2023
💡

Lont-AR

An augmented reality project that brings Balinese lontar manuscripts to life through interactive digital visualizations that support cultural learning, preservation, and engagement. Now, it becomes Ganesha Inovasi Teknologi Technology , a innovation start-up focused on delivering cutting-edge digital solutions for education, government, and creative industries in Bali and beyond.

2022 – Present git-id.com ↗
🕶️

Bali Temple VR

A virtual reality application for the digitalization of Balinese temples, allowing users to take virtual tours and experience temple landscapes and sacred objects immersively.

2018 – 2020
📖

Augmented Reality Story Book

AR-based storybook focusing on Balinese myths and legends. Animated 3D scenes appear when the app is pointed at image markers, accompanied by narration and music.

2014 – 2017

Awards & Scholarships

2025-2029

LPDP Scholarship Awardee

Monash University, Australia

2024

Best Graduate — Professional Engineering Program, July 2024 Graduation

Udayana University, Indonesia

2020

2nd Place — E-Learning Content Competition, Dies Natalis

Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha

2019

Most Disciplined Lecturer

Department of Informatics Engineering Students, Undiksha

2010

Gold Medal — Highest GPA in Computer Science, 2011 Graduation

University of Mysore, India

2008-2010

ICCR Scholarship — Master's Degree

Indian Council for Cultural Relations, University of Mysore

2003-2007

Full Scholarship — Bachelor's Degree

President University, Cikarang, Indonesia

2000-2003

Full Scholarship — Senior High School

Taruna Nusantara Senior High School, Indonesia