The transformation of higher education under the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has demanded a paradigm shift from content-oriented teaching to competency-based learning, which promotes integral student development aligned with societal and professional needs. This paper presents an innovative pedagogical framework combining Project-Based Learning (PBL) with Flipped Learning (FL), creating a dynamic, student-centered educational model. PBL enables students to tackle interdisciplinary, real-world challenges, promoting critical thinking, collaboration and applied knowledge. Meanwhile, FL extends the learning process beyond the classroom, allowing students to engage with theoretical materials independently and utilize classroom time for project-driven activities. This integration ensures a smooth transition between individual preparation and collaborative practice, optimizing the teaching-learning process for meaningful and sustained engagement. In parallel, the paper explores the intersection of this hybrid approach with the increasing presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. In this regard, tools like ChatGPT offer unprecedented opportunities for innovation, but they also imply risks such as superficial understanding and ethical concerns. Integrating AI literacy into the hybrid model, this study promotes the responsible and critical use of AI to improve learning outcomes and prepare students for a rapidly changing professional environment. This paper outlines the theoretical underpinnings of the hybrid model, along with a preliminary implementation plan targeting undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Future experimental phases will measure the model’s impact on competency acquisition, ethical AI usage and student engagement. Through its alignment with contemporary educational paradigms, this paper offers a valuable contribution to the exploration of hybrid pedagogies as a means to tackle the complex challenges of 21st-century higher education.

Keywords: Project-Based Learning, Flipped Learning, Artificial Intelligence.