Abstract: Owing to an inadequate fit between talent cultivation and social demand， Chinas talent cultivation at universities and colleges is widely criticized. In view of this， many universities and colleges have embarked upon the social demandoriented education reforms and innovations. It is true that taking social demand as the orientation could help universities and colleges to make clear the objectives of talent cultivation， improve students employability， and strengthen the ability of social service; however， the potential blindness， supremacy of effectiveness， frequent fluctuation and hysteresis of social demand often trap universities and colleges into blindness， utilitarianism， hysteresis and passivity. Therefore， the talent cultivation of higher education and the social demand should maintain a moderate balanced relationship by sticking to their own logic while keeping social sensitivity， clarifying the essential social demands and supplies， advocating differentiated strategies of talent cultivation， coordinating between commonness and individuality， and providing policy support to special majors.

Key words: university reform, talent cultivation, social demand, moderate relationship