Is shifting scientific meetings from offline to online mode doing more harm than benefit?

During the coronavirus pandemic post-2020, the whole world was forced to replace offline communication with online mode, wherever possible. Interestingly, the practice of online meetings has continued even after the pandemic has gone away. In universities, there are meetings of Research Progress Committees, Ph.D. viva, etc. Now many universities have adopted the practice of conducting these meetings online to save the money which otherwise they would be paying for travel and food of external experts. Though superficially it seems an economic practice, actually it deprives scientists from visiting new campuses and widening their professional network. Nobody can bear long online meetings, hence everybody is in a hurry to finish the online formality (while simultaneously attending other tasks too!). Meaningful  scientific discussions  often run for hours, when they are conducted in offline mode. Research Scholars (Ph.D. students) also do not take online viva that seriously, and the overall rigour of scientific presentation and evaluation is diluted. The convenience of attending meetings online with no travel requirements, is actually costing science heavily by jeopardizing the opportunities for meaningful offline discussions. Bearing little more financial cost of hosting offline meetings will allow us reap bigger benefits arising out of collaborations which get established during offline direct communications. 

Economics General Legal and Policy
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Hayder Algretawee
Online meeting has many benefits than offline mode, but offline meeting can do it easily without travel. In my view I prefer online meetings with my students because the communication is better, and students and I can focus on topics with each other on 
Accepted
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DrFuatPolat
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in online conferences. This has brought both convenience and challenges to the scientific community. While the online format has allowed for more widespread dissemination of research, reaching a wider audience, including those in underserved areas, and eliminating barriers such as travel costs and time constraints, it has also brought with it downsides in terms of collaboration and interaction.

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