Modern Social Science Research

Confronted with the pervasive challenges of inadequate student motivation and the theory-practice misalignment in local application-oriented universities within the emerging engineering education context, this study proposes a deep learning cultivation model anchored in the principle of “interest-driven and employment-oriented” education. The model incorporates a four-stage progressive interest cultivation framework and a multi-stakeholder collaborative education mechanism, implemented specifically in the mechanical engineering discipline. An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of 932 students demonstrates that the implementation of the model resulted in a marked increase in professional interest from 35% to 72%, a rise in the employment alignment rate from 65% to 88%, and an improvement in the postgraduate enrollment rate from 5.1% to 13.6%. The findings affirm that the proposed model effectively enhances students' intrinsic motivation, facilitates deep learning, and strengthens the integration of academic development with professional readiness.

Interest-driven; Employment-guided; Deep learning; Teaching reform