The 18th International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest concluded in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on Jan 7. The snow sculpture "Hearing" by students from Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) captivated judges and audiences alike, earning the Grand Prize, the Artist Award, and the Audience's Favorite Snow Sculpture Award, achieving a "grand slam" in the competition.

The design of "Hearing" aims to convey the reflections of the young generation through the language of art.

The sculpture features a humanoid-robotic form, with a bionic arm gently supporting a bird in flight. The bird perches on a metallic shoulder, intently "listening" to the whispers of natural life, symbolizing the fusion of cyberspace and reality. The design integrates key academic disciplines and the value pursuit of "technology for good", illustrating that technology is not a blade severing nature, but a wing safeguarding life and peace.

This year's contest featured 46 entries from 31 domestic universities and 15 international institutions from countries including the UK, Russia, and Thailand.

This rigorous three-day challenge saw participants braving the harsh cold for over 12 hours each day. The meticulous process, from calibrating each curve of the mechanical arm to detailing the texture of the bird's feathers, exemplified BIT students' relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in the icy arena.

Since 2011, BIT has participated in this competition for 16 consecutive years, previously winning the Grand Prize in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020. This marks the fifth time BIT has claimed the top honor.