The many billions of dollars in direct funding or incentives the US Chips Act has bestowed on domestic manufacturers continue to obscure the basic adage that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

That truism was tested, again, in late November as Denkai America, the US-based subsidiary of the Japanese materials company, announced its intentions to close and liquidate its copper foil manufacturing plant in Augusta, South Carolina, the last such factory in the United States.

The news comes just two years after its parent company, Nippon Denkai, heralded the site as the future of foil production, with tens of millions of dollars in investments planned and hundreds of new jobs expected. The company cited financial problems stemming from semiconductor shortages, a decrease in exports of batteries manufactured domestically, lower demand for smartphones, and other factors for the decision.

I’m not one to harp on the supposed deficiencies of higher education. The reasons why not to are numerous, but foremost is the disconnect between what industry often wants from higher ed (I’m including colleges and universities in this mix, although there are certain fundamental differences that distinguish them) and what those institutions are designed to (and not to) do.

Universities and colleges are places to seek knowledge and conduct research. They are (generally) not out to make a buck, although I would point out that “nonprofit” does not equal “for loss.” And they aren’t designed to churn out employees ready-made for the working world. Hands-on training is left to those who know exactly what the job entails. Schools are too far from the center to keep up with changing industry needs.

And it’s to their credit, I think, that they have remained somewhat immune to the wider forces that constantly try to shape their approaches and output. Facts matter, and the aim for dispositive critical inquiry means following the scientific method as envisioned by Aristotle no matter where it leads.