The aim of this study was to assess the obstacles and opportunities in Ethiopian higher education at Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology. The study was conducted using a descriptive research approach. A total of 150 respondents were chosen randomly from the university. To assess the students’, lecturers’, and academic staff’s responses, Likert-type scale questionnaires were issued. The findings of the study indicated that most of the respondents agreed that the implementation of 30: 70 education policy, the assessment method, the lack of well-established infrastructure, and political instability are the main challenges in universities. Regarding the opportunity; involvement of private universities, expansion of technology, a growing number of young generations, giving education through distance, extension, and online programs, the collaboration of domestic and foreign universities, and university-industry linkages are promising opportunities for the development of higher education. According to the findings, that quality and poor infrastructure are the major challenges while technology development is the major opportunity in Ethiopian higher education. The authors explored these challenges need to be addressed and opportunities should be utilized for successful education systems.

Keywords: challenges, higher education, opportunities, practice, policy